At the mention of Marjorie Moore’s name the change in Peter Dillon’s face was so startling that Barbara was startled.  Just now he did not look in the least like an Irishman.  His lips tightened into a fine, cruel line, his eyes grew almost black and had a queer, Chinese slant to them.  It suddenly dawned on Barbara, that Russians have Asiatic blood in their veins and are often more like Oriental people than they are like those of the western world.

But Peter only said carelessly, after he had regained control of his face:  “Miss Moore doesn’t like me; and frankly, I don’t like her.  She told you she did society work for her newspaper.  She does a great deal more.  She is constantly watching at the legations to see if she can spy on any of their secret information.  It is not good form to warn one girl against another.  But if I were you, Miss Thurston, I would take with a grain of salt any information that Miss Moore might give you.”

Barbara answered quietly:  “Oh, I don’t suppose Miss Moore will tell me any of her secrets.  She does not come to Mr. Hamlin’s except on business.  Harriet does not like her.”

“Good for Harriet!” Peter muttered to himself.  “It may be Harriet, after all!”

“Barbara Thurston, you and Peter come along this minute,” Harriet ordered unexpectedly.  “Don’t you know we shall be locked up in Mt.  Vernon if we stay here much longer.  Ruth’s automobile is already filled and she is waiting to start.  You and Peter are to get into Mr. Meyers’ car with me.  We have another hour before sunset.  We are going to motor along the river and have our supper at an inn a few miles from here.”

As Peter Dillon ran ahead to join Harriet Hamlin, a small piece of paper fell out of his pocket.  Barbara picked it up and slipped it inside her coat, intending to hand it back to Mr. Dillon as soon as she had an opportunity.  But there were other things that seemed of more importance to absorb her attention for the rest of the evening.  And Barbara was not to remember the paper until some time later.

CHAPTER VI

THE ARREST

After eating supper, and spending the evening at an old-fashioned Southern Inn on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, the two automobile parties started back to Washington.

Barbara and Peter Dillon occupied seats in the car with Harriet and Mr. Meyers, Mrs. Wilson, and two Washington girls who had been members of their party.

As Ruth did not know the roads it was decided that she keep to the rear and follow the car in front of her.

It was a clear moonlight night, and, though the roads were not good, no member of the party dreamed of trouble.

Bab sat next to Charlie Meyers, and her host was in a decidedly sulky temper.  For Harriet had grown tired of his devotion, after several hours of it during the afternoon, and was amusing herself with Peter.