ay brought the message from
her to Walcott, and Kate felt that a denouement of some kind was near.

Walcott's preparations were nearly perfected; another week would
complete them. By that time the funds of the firm as well as large
deposits held in trust, would be where he could lay his fingers on them
at a moment's notice. At a given signal two trusted agents would be at
the side entrance with fleet horses on which they would travel to a
neighboring village, and there, where their appearance would excite no
suspicion, they were to board the late express, which would carry them
to a point whence they could easily reach a place of safety.

But his well-laid plans were suddenly checked by a request one afternoon
from his senior partner to meet him in his private office that evening
at eight o'clock. The tone in which this request was preferred aroused
Walcott's suspicions that an investigation might be pending, and,
enraged at being thus checkmated, he determined to strike at once.

At dinner Mr. Underwood mentioned an engagement which would, he said,
detain him for an hour or so that evening, but having never since his
illness gone to the offices in the evening, no one supposed it more than
an ordinary business appointment with some friend.

He had left the house only a few moments when a caller was announced for
Miss Underwood.

Kate's heart gave a sudden bound as, on entering the reception-hall, she
saw again the woman whose coming was to be a warning of danger. She was,
as usual, dressed in black and heavily veiled. Kate was conscious of no
fear; rather a joy that the suspense was over, that there was at last
something definite and tangible to face.

"Senorita, may I see you in private?" The voice was sweet, but somewhat
muffled by the veil, while the words had just enough of the Spanish
accent to render them liquid and musical.

Kate bowed in assent, and silently led the way to a small reception-room
of her own. She motioned her caller to a seat, but the latter remained
standing and turned swiftly, facing Kate, still veiled.

"Senorita, you do not know me?" The words had the rising inflection of a
question.

"No," Kate replied, slowly; "I do not know you; but I know that this is
not your first call at The Pines."

"I called some ten days since to see you."

"You called," Kate spoke deliberately, "more than a year since to see
Mr. Walcott."

The woman started and drew back slightly. "How could you know?"