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"Safer for me," corrected the lieutenant, smiling. "No, I can't

work that way. I've got to take my own chances. You can go along,

though, on one condition. You're not to interfere between me and

Struve. If some one else butts in, you may ask him why, if you

like.

"Ay bane t'ink yuh von fool, Steve. But Ay bane no boss. Vat yuh

says goes."

They found Arlie watering geraniums in front of the house.

Siegfried merely nodded to her and passed on to the stables with

the horses. Fraser dismounted, offering her his hand and his warm

smile.

He had caught her without warning, and she was a little shy of

him. Not only was she embarrassed, but she saw that he knew it.

He sat down on the step, while she continued to water her

flowers.

"You see your bad penny turned up again, Miss Arlie," he said.

"I didn't know you were able to ride yet, Lieutenant Fraser."

"This is my first try at it. Thought I'd run over and say 'Thank

you' to my nurse."

"I'll call auntie," she said quickly.