"Will you give that----?" he began, threateningly, then broke off with an oath.
Olive had seen her opportunity, and darted off down the avenue. He did not dare to follow her. She ran on for some fifty yards, then caught sight of a dark heap lying on the ground. In a moment she was kneeling by his side, peering eagerly into his face.
Winn uttered a groan, then slowly opened his eyes. His head was tough, and it took a heavier blow than the one which the Count had dealt him to effectually lay him low.
"Where am I?" he said, in a dazed tone, raising himself on one elbow. His hand flew to his pocket. "The wallet?" he cried.
She pressed it into his hand. He clasped it, and his eyes travelled up to her face. For a moment he stared at her in absolute wonderment.
"Olive!" he gasped, "is it really you, my darling?"
She was trembling, but looked into his face with smiling eyes.
Slowly and unsteadily he rose to his feet.
"It is bewildering," he said. "I am knocked on the head in some mysterious fashion, and the plans are stolen. I regain consciousness, and find you by my side with the wallet. What does it all mean?"
"Wonderful!" he cried at the conclusion, catching hold of her hand, "to think that you, of all people, should come to my aid in this fashion! Do you know, Olive, I have thought of you every day during the last eight years; and now----" He paused and looked into her face.
"Ah! now," she said, falteringly, "our positions are so different. Remember, I am only a gov----"
"You are the woman I love," he interrupted; "and do you think I can let you go--after this? Olive, you cannot--you must not ask it of me! My dearest, you----?"
He stopped and looked into her eyes for the answer. Then, satisfied by what he saw there, he drew her gently to him.
At the breakfast table the next morning there was one absentee. The Count had been suddenly called away and had left by the early train.
"Extraordinary!" remarked Bobbie Scaife. "I wonder what was the reason?" he added, looking across at Winn.
Winn gave no reply. His thoughts at that moment were centred on a young person who, in the schoolroom, was continuing her lesson with Master Jim.
Jim had found something wanting in his lesson that morning. He looked up at his governess with a troubled expression.