Fenton was looking wonderfully well, but with a watchful look on his face, as if he feared discovery. He had a good sum of money with him, his passage to Valparaiso, and never for a moment thought that he was on the edge of an abyss. Of course, Kitty did not know he was about to abscond, and never thought how near her prey had escaped. She received him quietly, with friendly interest, and Fenton, pulling a chair next to hers, began to talk eagerly, never dreaming that an officer of the law was listening to every word.
Not only that, but outside, crouching on the verandah, was a dark figure, with a livid face, listening to what the man inside was saying. Hiram Fenton, utterly unconscious, was surrounded on all sides by his enemies, and went on telling all his plans to Kitty, never thinking how near he was to the felon's dock from which he was flying.
"And what did you want to see me about!" asked Fenton, taking Caprice's hand.
"Nothing in particular," she replied carelessly; "the fact is, I haven't seen you for such a long time."
"Then you do care for me a little?"
Caprice shrugged her shoulders.
"As much as I do for any man; but I didn't ask you to come here to make love. I want to talk seriously about giving up the stage."
She was leading him on so that he should betray himself to the detective, and he walked straight into the trap.
"Oh, you're tired of acting," said Fenton thoughtfully.
"Yes; and of Melbourne. I want to go away."