d to where, beyond these voices, there is rest and peace," she
quoted, ever so softly.

"Yes."

"Perhaps he knows now all about his Perfect State." Her wistful smile
was very tender.

"Perhaps."

They walked together slowly across the valley.

"It is nearly six months since I have seen you."

"Five months and twenty-seven days." The words had slipped out almost
without her volition. She hurried on, ashamed, the color flying in her
cheeks, "I remember because it was the day we ran down your cousin and
that old gentleman. It has always been a great comfort to me to know
that he was not seriously injured."

"No. It was only the shock of his fall."

"What was his name? I don't think I heard it."

There was just an instant's silence before he pronounced, "Farnum--Mr.
Robert Farnum."

"A relative of yours?"

"Yes."

Across her brain there flashed a fugitive memory of three words Jeff had
spoken to his cousin the day of the accident. "It's your father."

But how could that be? She had always understood that both the parents
of James were dead. The lawyer had denied knowing the man whose life
he had saved. And yet she had been sure of the words and of a furtive,
frightened look on the face of James. According to the story of the
_Herald_ the father of Jefferson, a former convict, was named Robert.
But once, when she had made some allusion to it Captain Chunn had
exploded into vigorous denial. It was a puzzle the meaning of which she
could not guess.

"He has several times mentioned his wish to thank you for your
kindness," Jeff mentioned.

"I'll be glad to meet him." Swiftly she flashed a question at him. "Is
he James Farnum's father?"

"Haven't you read the papers? He is said to be mine."

"But he isn't. He isn't. I see it now. James was ashamed to acknowledge
a father who had been in prison. Your enemies made a mistake and you let
it go."

"It's all long since past. I wouldn't say anything about it to anybody."

"Of course you wouldn't," she scoffed. Her eyes were very bright. She
wanted to laugh and to weep at her discovery.

"You see it didn't matter with my friends. And my reputation was beyond
hope anyhow. It was different with James."

She nodded. "Yes. It wouldn't have improved his chances with Valencia,"
her cousin admitted.

Jeff permitted himself a smile. "My impression was that he did not have
Mrs. Van Tyle in mind at the time."

They had waded through the wet ferns to the edge of the