cy's interest, and wondered whether he had told more than
he meant, but his comrade's amusement seemed uncalled for, and he
rejoined: "I imagined I'd made it plain that your sister wasn't the
only relative your carelessness alarmed."

"You did. The situation wasn't without its humor, Jake. After you had
embarked on a number of strange adventures on my behalf, it must have
been galling to be suspected of having made away with me. However, I
understand that Alice didn't take this view?"

"She did not," said Foster shortly, and Lawrence rang a bell.

"Get me a C.P. telegram form," he ordered the waiter.

The form was brought, and Lawrence filled it up and gave it to the man.
Then he fixed his eyes on Foster and remarked carelessly: "I've sent it
in your name, Jake, and not to my father. I thought somebody had
better break the comforting news to him, and briefly stated that you
had found me."

"Oughtn't you to have added some particulars?" Mrs. Stephen asked.

"On the whole, I don't think so. For one thing, Jake's taciturn
modesty rather becomes him, and the charges for an English telegram are
high."

Foster said nothing, but he knew the message had been sent to Alice and
Lawrence was satisfied with him as his sister's lover. This was
something, but Lawrence's approval might not count for much.

"That's done with," the latter resumed. "Since you didn't find Daly at
Banff, we have to decide if Carmen meant to deceive you and he never
intended going there. I rather think we had better leave it to Mrs.
Stephen and Lucy."

"I imagine she told the truth," Lucy replied. "If she had loved the
man, she might, after all, have tried to protect him; but a selfish,
ambitious girl who found she had been cheated, would be capable of
ruining him in a fit of jealous rage."

"But I didn't state that she was ambitious and selfish," objected
Foster.

Lawrence's eyes twinkled. "You don't realize all your talents, Jake.
For one thing, you have a gift for narrative, and the portrait you drew
of Carmen with a stroke or two was lifelike. Then, when you met and
bluffed her into giving Daly away, you couldn't have taken a more
effective line if you had been an ambassador. What do you think, Mrs.
Stephen?"

"Mr. Foster seems to have used all his advantages and the girl got a
shock that found out her weak points. I believe she meant to ruin her
worthless lover."

"So do I," Lawrence agreed. "I expect you have made Jake s