xtended his arms above his head to facilitate my
task, and even essayed a bit of banter at my hesitating to begin.

In truth, it was hard enough to do; the presence of the two girls made
the operation not only doubly disagreeable, but extremely embarrassing
as well. Miss Fluette's cheeks were hot with indignation, her hazel
eyes snapped. She made no comment--thank goodness!--but it was plain
to be seen that she restrained herself only with the greatest of
efforts. I am pretty adept at "going through" a man; and while in the
present instance it required but a few moments to satisfy myself that
Maillot could not have the gem, I was all the while acutely sensible of
a little foot tapping nervously beneath the table and an angry look
searing my offending back.

"There!" I ejaculated at last, with an attempt at making light of the
matter and at including Miss Cooper and Miss Fluette as recipients of
my apology. "If you 'll only lose sight of the man in the instrument,
you 'll forgive the liberty, Maillot.

"You may go; but let me tell you"--I eyed them all seriously--"prepare
for a grilling at the inquest. I would advise you to be frank, as you
have been with me; the instant a jury feels that answers are being
dragged from a witness they straightway receive a bad impression. I 'm
sure Miss Fluette would far rather put up with unwelcome publicity,
than that you should suffer through any quixotic ideas of shielding her
name."

He took it all as I intended he should, but never a sign of approval
did I get from the two pretty girls. With my concluding words Miss
Fluette thrust a hand under Maillot's arm and gave it an affectionate
little squeeze.

Before the door closed, Miss Cooper's head bent and she glanced back at
me across her shoulder. She was much the more beautiful of the two.

CHAPTER IX

TRACKS IN THE SNOW

I knew that Royal Maillot appreciated his position as well as I did
myself; and I felt perfectly secure in granting him his liberty. In
truth, I had a certain policy in doing so. He might possibly have
slain his uncle; if so, however, the act had not been premeditated, but
the result of a sudden uncontrollable outburst of passion, and he was
not the sort of fellow who would run away from the consequences,
however severe they might be. The effects of my friendliness and my
willingness to take him at his word were plainly demonstrated by a
gratitude which was the more convincing and trustwor