ving my life in the fire which killed my
mother. I--I have a scar from it which she recognized and so there is
another witness to my identity, but without the valuable proof you have
brought me I would still have found it almost impossible to offset the
evidence of that false document. I cannot thank you for all that you
have done and I still cannot quite understand----"

"It was for Gentleman Geoff," he reminded her courteously but coldly.
"I had given him my word and I meant to keep it to the utmost of my
ability. My task, I think, is almost completed."

Willa drew back, in wretched indecision. If only it had not been for
that hideously betraying letter which Angie had put in her hands how
clear the way would be before her! If the testimony offered of his
mercenary motives in making love to her had been verbal she would have
scorned it, no matter who swore to its truth, but his intent was made
plain in his own writing and could not be gainsaid.

"You will not let me offer you my thanks," she murmured. "But I am
indeed grateful. Can we not at least be friends, Mr. Thode? I--I
regret that bitter, angry letter I sent to you, but I had learned
something which hurt me deeply. Won't you be magnanimous enough to
forget it and let us go on as if nothing had occurred?"

"I shall be glad to be your friend and serve you in any way that I can,
Miss Murdaugh," he responded dryly. "I have something further to tell
you which I think concerns you closely. Are you aware that Starr Wiley
and his partner, Harrington Chase, have purchased from Tia Juana Reyes
the property known as the Lost Souls lease and are already issuing
stock and developing the well?"

Willa rose slowly to her feet, staring at him as if she could not
believe the evidence of her own ears.

"You--you cannot mean it!" she gasped. "It cannot be true; there is a
mistake somewhere! Please, say that again, Mr. Thode!"

He told her all that he had learned in New York, and she listened
breathlessly, her varying color concentrated in two vivid burning spots
upon her cheeks. A steady light deepened, too, in her eyes, and when
he had finished his story he looked at her in unconcealed amazement.
Far from being down-cast and distressed, she seemed to his
half-incredulous gaze to be triumphant, but she only remarked quietly:

"This is news indeed, Mr. Thode, but it simplifies everything. The
stakes I have played for since I left Limasito are in my hands at l