ar?"

"In the darkness, and filth, and rats, too, for all you know? No girl
would take a chance." Vernon's tone was lofty with contempt, but it
changed as he burst out: "Who are these people, anyway, and why are they
hiding and what are you so keen after them for? I hate fooling around
blindfold like this, and how do I know it's fair to Willa? What is her
connection with them?"

"You don't have to know, my dear fellow!" Wiley spoke with the bland
mockery the listening girl remembered. "It's up to you to do what you
are told and ask no questions. Why this sudden chivalry?"

"Well, you know, Willa's one of the family now. Hang it, I like her,
anyway, and I'm not going a step farther in this till I find out what the
devil you are up to!"

"A perfectly square business deal, if you must know. Your conscience is
waking up rather late in the day, don't you think?" The mockery changed
to a swift menace. "As to how far you will go, that will be as I direct,
or you, my dear Vernon, will find yourself in a position where the going
is distinctly not good."

"Gad! I'd rather face it than stand any more of your domineering!"
Vernon's faltering tones belied his words and the other laughed shortly.

"All right. The money is earning no interest for me. I'll put through
the check to-morrow."

"Oh, I say--!"

"Then come along, you young puppy, and no more whining, or I'll----"

The steps moved away and the voices again sank to an indistinguishable
murmur, but Willa had learned enough. Waiting only long enough to make
sure of their departure, she crept from her hiding-place, and, heedless
of the soot which clung to her boots and skirt, she acted upon Wiley's
inadvertent suggestion.

From the subway station she took a taxicab and reached home just in time
to dress for dinner. A not wholly disinterested plan was forming itself
in her mind and gained added strength of purpose with each glance at
Vernon's pale, troubled face across the table.

Angie, who had been cold and distant all day, departed for the theater;
the elder Halsteads went to a bridge party, but Vernon wandered aimlessly
into the library where Willa found him staring into the fire in profound
dejection.

"What is the matter, Vernon?" she asked abruptly. "You haven't been at
all like yourself these last few days. We're pals, you know; tell me."

He glanced up, hastily shifted his eyes, and then blurted out desperately.

"If you'd ever been an a