er spoke with an earnestness almost terrible. Tears came
into his eyes as he made his appeal, and his two auditors both rose to
their feet, under the impulse of his voice even more than of his words.
So earnest was he, and so spell-bound were the others, that they failed
to hear the door from the dining-room move, or notice the entrance of
Mrs. D'Alloi as Peter ended his plea.

A moment's silence followed Peter's outburst of feeling. Then the
Frenchwoman cried:

"Truly, truly. But what will you do for me and my child? Haven't we been
ill-treated? Don't you owe us help, too? Justice? Don't we deserve
tenderness and protection?"

"Yes," said Peter. "But you wish revenge. Ask for justice, ask for help,
and I will do what is within my power to aid you."

"Watts," cried Mrs. D'Alloi, coming forward, "of what child are you
talking? Whose child? Who is this woman?"

Watts jumped as if he had been shot. Celestine even retreated before the
terrible voice and face with which Mrs. D'Alloi asked her questions. A
sad, weary look came into Peter's eyes. No one answered Mrs. D'Alloi.

"Answer me," she cried

"My dear little woman. Don't get excited. It's all right." Watts managed
to say this much. But he did not look his last remark.

"Answer me, I say. Who is this woman? Speak!"

"It's all right, really, it's all right. Here. Peter will tell you it's
all right."

"Peter," cried Mrs. D'Alloi. "Of whose child were you speaking?"

Peter was still standing by the desk. He looked sad and broken, as he
said:

"This is the mother, Mrs. D'Alloi."

"Yes? Yes?"

Peter raised his eyes to Helen's and looked at her. Then he said
quietly:

"And Watts--will tell you that--I am its father."

CHAPTER XXXV.

RUNNING AWAY.

The dramatic pause which followed Peter's statement was first broken by
Mrs. D'Alloi, who threw her arms about Watt's neck, and cried: "Oh! my
husband. Forgive me, forgive me for the suspicion!"

Peter turned to Celestine. "Madame," he said. "We are not wanted here."
He unlocked the door into the hall, and stood aside while she passed
out, which she did quietly. Another moment found the two on the
sidewalk. "I will walk with you to your hotel, if you will permit me?"
Peter said to her.

"Certainly," Celestine replied. Nothing more was said in the walk of ten
blocks. When they reached the hotel entrance, Peter asked: "Can you see
me for a few moments?"

"Yes. Come to my private parlor." They took