“It is safer here than in a woman’s jewel case,” he asserted.  “No one looks to my drawer, and certainly no one would expect to find a crown jewel of this description in my quarters.  Well,” he came back to his seat, slipping his keys into his trouser pocket, “the whole thing puzzles me.”

“Why not do as I suggest and go to Mrs. Jasher?  In any case you are going there to-night, are you not?”

“Yes.  I want to decide what to do about the woman.  I had intended to go alone, but as you are here you may as well come also.”

“I shall be delighted.  What do you intend to do?”

“Help her,” said Random briefly.

“She doesn’t deserve it,” replied Hope, lighting a fresh cigarette.

“Does anyone ever deserve anything?” asked Sir Frank cynically.  “What does Miss Kendal think of the business?  I suppose Braddock told her.  He has too long a tongue to keep anything to himself.”

“He told her at dinner, when I was present.  Lucy is quite on your side.  She says that she had known Mrs. Jasher for months and that there is good in her, although I am bound to say that Lucy was a trifle shocked.”

“Does she want Mrs. Jasher to marry her father now?”

“Her step-father,” corrected Archie immediately.  “No, that is out of the question.  But she would like Mrs. Jasher to be helped out of her difficulties and have a fair start.  It was only by the greatest diplomacy that I prevented Lucy going to see the wretched woman this evening.”

“Why did you prevent her?”

Archie colored.

“I daresay I am a trifle prudish,” he replied, “but after what has happened I do not wish Lucy to associate with Mrs. Jasher.  Do you blame me?”

“No, I don’t.  All the same, I don’t think that Mrs. Jasher is an immoral woman by any means.”

“Perhaps not; but we needn’t discuss her character, as we know precious little of her past, and she no doubt told you the story that best suited herself.  I think it will be best to make her tell all she knows this evening, and then send her away with a sum of money in her pocket to begin a new life.”

“I shall help her certainly,” said Random, with his eyes on the fire, “but can’t say exactly how.  It is my opinion that the poor wretch is more sinned against than sinning.”

“You are a soldier with a conscience, Random.”

The other laughed.

“Why shouldn’t a soldier have a conscience?  Do you take your idea of officers from the lady novelist, who makes us out to be all idle idiots?”

“Not exactly.  All the same, many a man would not take the trouble to behave as you are doing to this unlucky woman.”

“Any man, who was a man, whether soldier or civilian, would help such a poor creature.  And I believe, Hope, that you will help her also.”

The artist leaped to his feet impulsively.

“Of course.  I’m with you right along, as Hervey would say.  But first, before deciding what we shall do to set Mrs. Jasher on her legs again, let us hear what she has to say.”