Jumping from the taxi, he dismissed the chauffeur summarily and hastened toward her. He fancied that she looked pale and careworn in the fresh morning sunlight, but when she saw him an unmistakable light leaped into her eyes.
It died instantly, however, and she bowed with cold aloofness, affecting not to notice his outstretched hand.
"Miss Shaw, I am not going to pretend that this meeting is not of my seeking for I was on my way to try to see you if I could."
She raised her eyebrows.
"I fancied that our last meeting was quite conclusive, Mr. Ross."
"I told you that I meant to be your friend, whether you wished it or not, and it is as your friend that I am here." He spoke very gravely. "Won't you let me walk with you for a little way? What I have to say is vital to you and in speaking I am practically betraying a trust, but I am convinced that you stand in a false position; that through no fault of your own, you are in actual danger!"
Betty paused, regarding him steadily, but made no comment.
"You know my name, but I can tell you nothing more of myself; I can offer you no personal guarantees of my good faith. I only ask you to believe that I speak with good authority. You may consider it an unwarranted intrusion into your affairs, but I must warn you. Miss Shaw, give up this position you hold! Give it up on whatever pretext is possible, or run away if you have to, only go at once, before it is too late!"
"Mr. Ross, this is a most extraordinary request! Will you be good enough to explain? My position is a highly advantageous one; why should I relinquish it?"
"For your own safety. You do not know the sort of trap you are in, or the people for whom you are working. They are using you as a tool, and worse—"