oom as if
expecting to find the object of his search concealed in its shadows.

"What has happened here?" he demanded in a voice which plainly showed
his disappointment.

"Do you mean what has become of the rest of the furniture?" asked the
attorney in reply, gaining time to decide upon his course.

"Yes, who is responsible for this business?" he exclaimed angrily. "Has
it been done during his absence?"

Pawson hesitated. That the intruder was one of Gorsuch's men, and that
he had been sent in advance on an errand of investigation, was no
longer to be doubted. He, however, did not want to add any fuel to his
increasing heat, so he answered simply:

"Mr. Temple got caught in the Patapsco failure and it went pretty hard
with him, and so what he didn't actually need he sold."

The man gave a start, his features hardening; but whether of surprise or
dissatisfaction Pawson could not tell.

"And when it was all gone he went away--is that what you mean?" This
came in a softened tone.

"Yes--that seems to be the size of it. I suppose you come
about--some"--again he hesitated, not knowing exactly where the man
stood--"about some money due you?--Am I right?"

"No, I came to see Mr. Temple, and I must see him, and at once. How long
will he be gone?"

"All winter--perhaps longer." The attorney had begun to breathe again.
The situation might not be as serious as he had supposed. If he wanted
to see Mr. Temple himself, and no one else would do, there was still
chance of delay in the wiping out of the property.

Again the man's eyes roamed over the room, the bareness of which seemed
still to impress him. Then he asked simply: "Where will a letter reach
him?"

"I can't say exactly. I thought he had gone to Virginia--but he doesn't
answer any of my communications."

A look of suspicion crept into the intruder's eyes.

"You're not trying to deceive me, are you? It is very important that I
should see Mr. Temple, and at once." Then his manner altered. "You've
forgotten me, Mr. Pawson, but I have not forgotten you--my name is
Rutter. I lived here with Mr. Temple before I went to sea, three years
ago. I am just home--I left the ship an hour ago. I'll sit down if you
don't mind--I've still got my sea-legs on and am a little wobbly."

Pawson twisted his thin body and bent his neck, his eyes glued to the
speaker's face. There was not a trace of young Harry in the features.

"Well, you don't look like him," he replied incredu