CHAPTER

     I twilight in the park
    II Hambleton of Lynn
   III midsummer madness
    IV Mr. Van camp makes A call
     V Melanie’s dreams
    VI on board the Jeanne D’ARC
   VII the rope ladder
  VIII on the breast of the sea
    IX the camp on the beach
     X the heart of youth
    XI the home port
   XII seeing the rainbow
  XIII Aleck Sees A ghost
   XIV Susan Stoddard’s prayer
    XV echoes from the city
   XVI A fighting chance
  XVII the turn of the tide
 XVIII the spirit of the ancient wood
   XIX Mr. Chamberlain, sleuth
    XX monsieur Chatelard takes the wheel
   XXI Jimmy redivivus
  XXII A man of no principle
 XXIII Jimmy muffs the ball
  XXIV after you, monsieur! 
        Epilogue

ILLUSTRATIONS

Miss Redmond detected a passage of glances between them . . . . . . 
(Frontispiece)

   “That depends upon whether you are going to marry me.”

   “It does make one feel queer, you know.”

   She stood over him looking down tenderly.

   “You shall not turn me down like this.”

THE STOLEN SINGER

CHAPTER I

TWILIGHT IN THE PARK

“You may wait, Renaud.”

The voice was firm, but the lady herself hesitated as she stepped from the tonneau.  There was no answer.  Holding the flapping ends of her veil away from her face, she turned and looked fairly at the driver of the machine.

He seemed a businesslike, capable man, though certain minor details of his chauffeur’s rig were a bit unusual, and now that he had been obliged, by some discomfort, to remove his goggles, his face appeared pleasant and quite untanned.  His passenger noted these things, remarking:  “Oh, it isn’t Renaud!”

“No, Mademoiselle; Renaud hadn’t showed up at the office when you telephoned, so they put me on in his place.”

“Ah, I see.”  Accent seemed to imply, however, that she was not quite pleased.  “The manager sent you.  And your name is—?”

“My name—­rather odd name—­Hand.”

The face half hidden behind the veil remained impassive.  A moment’s hesitation, and then the lady turned away with a short, “You will wait?”

“As mademoiselle wishes.  Or shall I perhaps follow slowly along the drive?”

“No, wait here.  I shall return—­soon.”

The young woman walked away, erect, well-poised, lifting skirts skilfully as she paused a moment at the top of the stone steps leading down into the tiny park.  The driver of the machine, free from observation, allowed a perplexed look to occupy his countenance.  “What the devil is to pay if she doesn’t return—­soon!”