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the house Hanaud turned back to Lemerre and pointed silently to

the oing into the rooarden Celia Harland threw back her head to the stars and drew in

a deep breath of the cool night air

"I did not think," she said in a low voice, "to see the stars

again"

They walked slowly down the length of the garden, and Hanaud

lifted her into the launch She turned and caught his coat

"Youin beside her

"For tonight," he said gaily, "I am your papa!"

Ricardo and the others followed, and the launch moved out over the

lake under the stars The boas turned towards Geneva, the water

tuht breeze blew fresh

upon their faces They disee, and then

Lemerre bowed to Celia and took his leave Hanaud led Celia up on

to the balcony of the restaurant and ordered supper There were

people still dining at the tables

One party indeed sitting late over their coffee Ricardo recognised

with a kind of shock They had taken their places, the very places

in which they now sat, before he and Hanaud and Lemerre had left

the restaurant upon their expedition of rescue Into that short

interval of time so much that was eventful had been crowded