Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III " He's A Spy " EVELYN BERKELEY was at home, instructions were given that Mr. Chesney was to be admitted when he called. She greeted him cordially ; he saw she was pleased to see him. " You bring the fresh air in with you. I suppose you have been riding in the Park ? " she said, as she gave him her hand and a bright smile. " It's the best part of the day for riding. I wonder you do not go out more on horseback, you are a good rider." "You really think so?" " Yes — really." " I have no one to ride with." " There's me, won't I do? " he asked laughing. " Oh yes, you'll do very well indeed, but I have to be careful; I'm a lone woman and people talk." " Let 'em," said Alan. " That's all very well from your standpoint; you're a man, that makes all the difference." " Not in these days. Women are taking a hand in most things, giving the men a lead. They are independent; probably they are right." " Yes, I think they are, but still there are some things they cannot do; women are more likely to be talked about than men, it matters more to them." "Why should it?" " Because women are women, I can't give you a better answer," she said laughing. " I met Jane Thrush as I came past the monastery," he said. " Pretty girl, is she not? She seems to like her lonely life at the cottage, at least she says so." " A very pretty girl, and a good girl," was her reply. " Do you see her sometimes? " he asked. " Yes, very often; she comes here when she likes, Hannah is fond of her." " You're lucky to have Hannah Moss." " I am; she's a treasure." " Been at The Forest for years, hasn't she? " " She nursed me, that's a long time ago." He laughed as he said: " Not so very long ago, Eve; we were playmates, I am not very ancient." ...