didn't. They sent it to the apartment, and the postman forwarded
it to me."

"They can't sue you up here in this wilderness though; can they?" asked
Alice.

"I don't know anything about the law part of it," replied Mr. DeVere. "I
presume, though, that they can sue me anywhere, even though I have paid
the money, as long as Merley holds that note. They can make a great deal
of trouble if they wish."

"Poor Daddy!" Ruth sighed.

"Oh, but I mustn't make you worry this way," he said spiritedly. "I
shall find some way to fight this case. I'll never give in to that
scoundrel."

"I wonder where he is?" mused Alice. "We thought he was injured in the
accident, and would not bother you."

"This notice does not mention him," replied Mr. DeVere, as he paused
over the letter again. "It merely speaks of him as 'our client.' He may
be in the hospital, for all I can tell."

They discussed the matter from all viewpoints, but there was nothing to
be done.

"You will have to reply to the lawyers, though; won't you, daddy?" asked
Ruth.

"Oh, yes, I must write to them. I shall state the case plainly, and,
though, I have no proof, I shall ask them to drop the suit, as it is an
unjust one."

"And if they don't?" suggested Alice.

"If they don't--well, I suppose I shall have to suffer," he replied,
quietly. "I cannot raise the money now."

"Oh dear!" cried Alice, half petulantly. "I wish the blizzard was still
here!"

"Why, Alice!" cried Ruth.

"Well, I do! Then there wouldn't have been any mail, and daddy wouldn't
have received this horrid letter."

"Oh, well, it's best to know the plans of one's enemies," said Mr.
DeVere. "Now I know what to expect. I think I shall write to Dan Merley
myself, and appeal to his better nature. Surely, even though he was not
entirely sober when I paid him the money, he must recall that I did. I
confess I do not know whether he is merely under the impression that I
did not pay him, or is deliberately telling a falsehood. It is hard to
decide," he added, with a sigh.

Mr. DeVere sent a letter to Merley the next day, and a few days later an
answer came back from New York, from the same firm of lawyers who had
served the legal notice, to the effect that their client had left the
matter entirely in their hands, and that the money must be paid. Mr.
Merley, the lawyer said, preferred to have no direct communication with
Mr. DeVere.

"That settles it! They mean to push the case to the limit!" e