ho benefit most by the possible murder of John Hardy."

She sank on a chair and looked at him helplessly.

"I suppose you'll have to go--but I don't know what I shall do without
you. How long do you think you'll be away?"

"It is quite impossible to say. I shall return as soon as
circumstances permit. I'll write whenever I can."

"I shall need some things from the house," she said. "I have
absolutely nothing here."

"Buy what you need, and remain indoors as much as you can," he
instructed. "Reporters will be sure to haunt the house in Ninety-third
Street, hoping to see us return."

"It's horrible!" said Dorothy. "It almost makes me wish I had never
heard of any will!"

Garrison looked at her with frank adoration in his eyes.

"Whatever the outcome, I shall always be glad," he said--"glad of the
day you needed--needed assistance--glad of the chance it has given me
to prove my--prove my--friendship."

"I'll try to be worthy of your courage," she answered, returning his
look with an answering glance in which the love-light could only at
best be a trifle modified. "But--I don't see how it will end."

"About this marriage certificate----" he started, when the door-bell
rang interruptingly.

In fear of being overheard by the landlady, already attending a caller,
Garrison halted, to wait. A moment later the door was opened by the
lady of the house herself, and a freshly-groomed, smooth-shaven young
man was ushered in. The room was the only one in the house for this
semi-public use.

"Excuse me," said the landlady sweetly. "Someone to see Miss Ellis."

The visitor bowed very slightly to Dorothy and Garrison, and stood
somewhat awkwardly near the door, with his hat in his hand. The
landlady, having made her excuses for such an intrusion, disappeared to
summon Miss Ellis.

Garrison was annoyed. There was nothing to do but to stand there in
embarrassing silence. Then Miss Ellis came shyly in at the door,
dressed so becomingly that it seemed not at all unlikely she had hoped
for the evening's visitor.

"Oh, Mr. Hunter, this is a very pleasant surprise!" she said. "Allow
me to introduce my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax." She added to
Garrison and Dorothy, "This is Mr. Hunter, of the New York _Star_."

Prepared to bow and let it go at that, Garrison started, ever so
slightly, on learning the visitor's connection. Mr. Hunter, on his
part, meeting strangers unexpectedly, appeared to be diffident and