her to make something of herself," said Peter calmly.
"And I know I can. Beth is a very unusual girl."

"Don't you suppose I know that? She always was. She ain't the same as
the rest of us down here. She always wanted to learn. Even now when
she's through school, she's always readin'--always."

"That's it. She ought to complete her education. That's what I mean. I
want to help her to be a great singer. I can do it if you'll let me."

"Where's the money comin' from?" sighed Mrs. Bergen.

"No need to bother about that, yet. I can give her a beginning, if you
approve. After that----" Peter paused a moment and then, "We'll see," he
finished.

He was somewhat amazed at the length to which his subconscious thought
was carrying him, for his spoken words could infer nothing less than his
undertaking at his own expense the completion of the girl's education.
The housekeeper's exclamation quickly brought him to a recognition of
his meaning.

"You mean--that _you_----!" she halted and looked at him over her
glasses in wonder.

"Yes," he said blandly, aware of an irrevocable step. "I do, Mrs.
Bergen."

"My land!" she exclaimed. And then again as though in echo, "My land!"

"That's one of the reasons why I've come here to you to-day," he went on
quickly. "I want to help Beth and I want to help _you_. I know that
everything isn't going right for you at Black Rock House. I've been
drawn more deeply into--into McGuire's affairs than I expected to be and
I've learned a great many things that aren't any business of mine. And
one of the things I've learned is that your peace of mind and Beth's
happiness are threatened by the things that are happening around you."

The housekeeper had risen and stood leaning against the dresser,
immediately on her guard.

"Mrs. Bergen," he went on firmly, "there's no use of trying to evade
this issue--because it's here! I know more than you think I do. I'm
trying to get at the root of this mystery because of Beth. You told me
the other night that Beth's happiness was involved when that stranger
came to the kitchen porch----"

"No, no," gasped the woman. "Don't ask me. I'll tell you nothin'."

"You saw this man--outside the kitchen door in the dark," he insisted.
"You talked with him----"

"No--no. Don't ask me, Mr. Nichols."

"Won't you tell me what he said? I saw him last night--talked with him
for an hour----"

"_You_--talked--with him!" she gasped in alarm. And then, haltingly,
"Wha