“Thank you, Hickson.  It’s very decent of you to be,” Max answered as cordially as he could, but he was tired and wanted to be let alone, and there was not as much real gratitude in his heart as there should have been.  He did not ask Ned to sit down until he had explained with his accustomed simplicity that he had something of importance to say.  Then Riatt let him lead the way to one of those remote and stuffy sitting-rooms in which all hotels abound.  He saw at once that Hickson found it difficult to say what he had come to say, but Riatt was in no humor this time to help him out.

“I’m awfully sorry this has happened,” Hickson went on, “not only on your account, but on Christine’s.  I mean that I did begin to hope that life with you meant peace and happiness for her—­”

To cut him short, Riatt said quickly:  “Now, of course, the marriage is out of the question.”

Hickson’s face brightened, as if the difficult words had been said for him.  “You do feel that?” he said, nodding a little as if to encourage his friend.

Max did not answer at first in words; he laughed rather bitterly, and then after a pause he said, “Yes, Hickson, I do.”

Ned was clearly relieved.  “Of course,” he said, “I did not know how that would be.  But I own it did occur to me.  The world is very censorious of poor Christine.  Every one will say that she is the kind of woman who can’t stick to a man in adversity.  Yes, I assure you, Riatt, lots of these women who can’t put down one of their motors without having nervous prostration will pillory Christine for breaking her engagement, unless—­” he paused.

“I don’t follow your idea, Ned.”

Hickson sighed.  “Why, as long as you recognize the impossibility of the marriage, couldn’t you in some way make it appear that the breaking of the engagement came from you—­as—­if—­”

“I see,” said Riatt.  There was a short silence, and then he asked in a tone that sounded perfectly calm to Hickson:  “Is this a message from Christine?”

“Oh, no.  Not a message from Christine, though she has been trying to communicate with you for two days.  She can’t see why you won’t even answer her letters.  I told her I would find you—­”

“In fact, it is a message, or at least you are her messenger?”

“No, Riatt, at least not from her.  I have a message for you, but not from her.”

“From whom?”

“From Linburne.  He has the greatest admiration for your power, abilities, in spite of any differences you may have had.  He wants to offer you a position, only he felt awkward about doing it himself after what has taken place.  He asked me to speak to you.  It’s a good salary, only it means going to Manchuria, no—­”

“One moment,” said Riatt.  “These two messages, are they in any way connected?”

“I don’t understand.”

“Linburne’s offer is not by any chance the reward for my giving Christine a suitable release?”