ilk I had been so careful to employ."

"There is ample proof that Theodore has utilized his wits to good
advantage," he said. "Your marriage-certificate episode is only a part
of what he has achieved. This paper contains all the story--suggesting
that your uncle may have been murdered, and telling the conditions of
the will."

He held up the paper before her startled eyes, and saw the look of
alarm that came upon her.

"Printed--in the paper!" she exclaimed in astonishment and utter
dismay. "Why, how could such a thing happen?"

She took the paper and scanned the story hurriedly, making exclamations
as she read.

"Theodore--more of Theodore," said Garrison. "From his point of view,
and with all his suspicions concerning our relationship, it is a
master-stroke. It renders our position exceedingly difficult."

"But--how could he have found out all these things?" gasped Dorothy.
"How could he know?"

"He has guessed very shrewdly, and he has doubtless pumped your
stepbrother of all that he happened to know."

"What shall we do?" she repeated hopelessly. "We can't prove
anything--just now--and what will happen when the will comes up for
probate?"

"I'll land him in prison, if he doesn't pull out of it now," said
Garrison, angered as much by Theodore's diabolical cleverness as he was
by this premature publicity given to the story. "He has carried it all
with a mighty high hand, assured of our fear to take the business into
court. He has stirred up a fight that I don't propose to lose!--a
fight that has roused all the red-hot Crusader of my being!"

"But--what shall we do? All the newspaper people will be digging at
the case and doing their best to hunt up everyone concerned!"

"No reporters can be seen. If the fact leaks out that you are here,
through anyone connected with the house, you must move at once, and
change your name, letting no one but me know where you are."

She looked at him blankly. "Alone? Can't you help me, Jerold?"

"It is more important for me to hasten up country now than it was
before," he answered. "I must work night and day to clear things up
about the murder."

"But--if Foster should really be guilty?"

"He'll be obliged to take his medicine--otherwise suspicion might
possibly rest upon you."

"Good Heavens!"

She was very pale.

"This story in the _Star_ has precipitated everything," he added.
"Already it contains a hint that you and your 'husband' are the ones
w