mind.

"It's just as I thought. Your uncle married Esther and got her to keep
quiet about the marriage for some reason. Your cousins are trying to
destroy the evidence so that the estate won't all go to her. I'll bet
we get an offer of a compromise right away."

"Mebbe." Kirby's mind was not quite satisfied. Somehow, this affair
did not seem to fit in with what he knew of his uncle. Cunningham had
been always bold and audacious in his actions, a law to himself. Yet
if he were going to marry the stenographer he had wronged, he might do
it secretly to conceal the date on account of the unborn child.

The eyes of Rose gleamed with determination. Her jaw set. "I'm gonna
get the whole story out of Esther soon as I get back to town," she said
doggedly.

But she did not--nor for many days after.

CHAPTER XXV

A CONFERENCE OF THREE

Kirby heard his name being paged as he entered his hotel.

"Wanted at the telephone, sir," the bell-hop told him.

He stepped into a booth and the voice of Rose came excited and
tremulous. It was less than ten minutes since he had left her at the
door of her boarding-house.

"Something's happened, Kirby. Can you come here--right away?" she
begged. Then, unable to keep back any longer the cry of her heart, she
broke out with her tidings. "Esther's gone."

"Gone where?" he asked.

"I don't know. She left a letter for me. If you'll come to the
house--Or shall I meet you downtown?"

"I'll come. Be there in five minutes."

He more than kept his word. Catching a car on the run at the nearest
corner, he dropped from it as it crossed Broadway and walked to
Cherokee.

Rose opened the house door when he rang the bell and drew him into the
parlor. With a catch of the breath she blurted out again the news.

"She was gone when I got home. I found--this letter." Her eyes sought
his for comfort. He read what Esther had written.

I can't stand it any longer, dearest. I'm going away where I won't
disgrace you. Don't look for me. I'll be taken care of
till--afterward.

And, oh, Rose, don't hate me, darling. Even if I am wicked, love me.
And try some time to forgive your little sister.

ESTHER

"Did anybody see her go?" Lane asked.

"I don't know. I haven't talked with anybody but the landlady. She
hasn't seen Esther this afternoon, she said. I didn't let on I was
worried."

"What does she mean that she'll be taken care of till afterward?
Who'll take