r. Gladwin, and that you would do everything in your power to help."

"And I jolly well meant it," he acquiesced, with a low bow.

"You meant it! Then how could you--oh," and she started suddenly from
him, "why didn't I see it before? _You've been drinking._ Come,
Sadie."

Barnes turned away with an uncontrollable snicker. Gladwin was
stunned. As he saw her leaving him he made a last desperate effort:

"But just a moment. Please allow me to explain. I said I wanted you to
marry Travers Gladwin, because I am"----

"I don't care why you said it," she flung at him, "because I don't
think you know what you are saying."

She fairly sailed through the portieres, leaving the young man staring
after her in a state of utter mental collapse.

The little cousin had listened to this impassioned dialogue in the
attitude of a frightened bird, standing first on one foot and then on
the other, struggling with all her small nervous force to hold back
the tears. As Helen disappeared, a sob escaped her and she ran
forward. Barnes started after her.

"Oh, Miss Sadie--just one word!"

"Oh, don't--please don't!" she wailed over her shoulder.

"But won't you let me call on you--just once?" he pleaded, in real
distress.

Sadie stopped, gave him one frightened glance, smiled through her
tears and burst out:

"I shall be delighted."

Then she was gone and a moment later the door slammed.

CHAPTER XX.

MICHAEL PHELAN TO THE RESCUE.

The slamming of the front door of the Gladwin mansion struck upon the
two young men as a numbing shock. They stood looking at each other
with eyes that saw not and with expressions of idiotic vacancy.

Within the span of a brief half hour they had been swept along on a
rushing tide of emotions. They had been thrilled and mystified,
mystified and thrilled. Nor was there any relief in the reaction.
There was more mystery and more thrill ahead that demanded immediate
action.

Naturally the bulk of the thrill was heaped upon Travers Gladwin. He
was not only fiercely convinced that he had fallen desperately in
love, but the unknown beauty who had kindled this passion had revealed
that she was coming that night to his home to meet and elope with a
villain and an impostor.

Here was a situation to scatter the wits of a Napoleon! It was no
wonder that for a few moments his thoughts flattened themselves
against an impassable barrier. Whitney Barnes was the first to revive
and speak.

"Now wh