y
one else. But it was so hard to confront him--to look into his eyes.
When she had attained a proper memory of him, her fluttering wits told
her what to do.

"No, Frank," she whispered, excitedly; "if it's father, you'd better let
me go. I know how to talk to him. He won't say anything to me. You stay
here. I'm not afraid--really, I'm not. If I want you, I'll call you."

He had come over and taken her pretty chin in his hands, and was looking
solemnly into her eyes.

"You mustn't be afraid," he said. "I'll go down. If it's your father,
you can go away with him. I don't think he'll do anything either to you
or to me. If it is he, write me something at the office. I'll be there.
If I can help you in any way, I will. We can fix up something. There's
no use trying to explain this. Say nothing at all."

He had on his coat and overcoat, and was standing with his hat in
his hand. Aileen was nearly dressed, struggling with the row of red
current-colored buttons which fastened her dress in the back. Cowperwood
helped her. When she was ready--hat, gloves, and all--he said:

"Now let me go first. I want to see."

"No; please, Frank," she begged, courageously. "Let me, I know it's
father. Who else could it be?" She wondered at the moment whether her
father had brought her two brothers but would not now believe it. He
would not do that, she knew. "You can come if I call." She went on.
"Nothing's going to happen, though. I understand him. He won't do
anything to me. If you go it will only make him angry. Let me go. You
stand in the door here. If I don't call, it's all right. Will you?"

She put her two pretty hands on his shoulders, and he weighed the matter
very carefully. "Very well," he said, "only I'll go to the foot of the
stairs with you."

They went to the door and he opened it. Outside were Alderson with two
other detectives and Mrs. Davis, standing perhaps five feet away.

"Well," said Cowperwood, commandingly, looking at Alderson.

"There's a gentleman down-stairs wishes to see the lady," said Alderson.
"It's her father, I think," he added quietly.

Cowperwood made way for Aileen, who swept by, furious at the presence of
men and this exposure. Her courage had entirely returned. She was angry
now to think her father would make a public spectacle of her. Cowperwood
started to follow.

"I'd advise you not to go down there right away," cautioned Alderson,
sagely. "That's her father. Butler's her name, isn't it? H