t business deal would keep Mr.
Snelling at the Long Island plant indefinitely. Hence for the present
there was not a possibility of clearing up the mystery. It was,
however, significant that Snelling evidently considered his part of the
work done; and if Janoah's accusations were founded on fact, as they
appeared to be, it was not surprising that he seized upon the confusion
of the present as a fortunate cover for his exit from Wilton.

The more Robert Morton pondered on the train of events, the less
willing he became to connect Mr. Galbraith with the purloining of
Willie's idea. The financier had intended to do precisely what he had
specified, lend a friendly hand to the old man's scheme. It was
Snelling who had seen in the circumstance something too promising to
let pass and who, without his employer's knowledge, had made bold to
secure the device for his personal profit. In the meanwhile, ignorant
that Robert Morton was cognizant of his cupidity, he was as debonair as
if he had nothing on his conscience. He made himself useful in every
possible direction, and on parting from Bob at the train declared he
should look forward with the greatest anticipation to their future
business association together. How the young man longed to confront
the knave with his crime! It seemed almost imperative that before the
mischief proceeded farther steps should be taken to stop it. But what
proofs had he to present?

No, a middle course was the only thing possible, Bob decided. He must
return to Willie's roof with the atmosphere uncleared and finish the
little that still remained to be done on the invention as if no shadow
clouded his sky. He could not leave Willie in the lurch. Furthermore,
it was out of the question for him to depart from Wilton until he had
come to an understanding with Delight Hathaway. The intimacy of the
past week, with its lights and shadows, had only served to render
stronger the bonds that bound him to her. In every issue the network
of strange events had developed her character, and displayed facets of
such unsuspected force and splendor that where beauty had at first
fascinated it was now the soul behind it that called to him. Truly
Madam Lee had in this grandchild a worthy descendant, and it brought an
added joy to his heart to thus link together the two beings he loved
most deeply.

Therefore he made the journey back to Wilton, bravely resolved to bear
Janoah's taunts and Willie's silent