ce a shabby suitcase was brought
indoors.

Immediately after she found herself, not leading the way, but following
the unexpected intruder to the second floor. Evidently the elderly woman
was familiar with the house, for she made her way directly to the
sitting-room and, seating herself upon the divan, began untying her
bonnet strings.

In spite of her own confusion and excitement and the visitor's
surprising appearance, Vera believed herself in the presence of an
important personage. She understood this, notwithstanding the fact that
the woman's costume was conspicuously shabby and she herself extremely
plain.

The bonnet which she removed without waiting to be asked followed a
fashion of about a quarter of a century before. When her traveling coat
had been laid aside the black dress underneath was almost equally
old-fashioned in design.

"Here, child, please take this money and hide it in the same place, or
find a safer one," she announced. "Yet it may be just as well not to
mention the robbery to Polly Burton. She is sure to need more strength
than she possesses to be able to start on this perilous journey to
France almost at the beginning of winter, with only you foolish children
as her companions. Besides, I presume Polly left the money in the most
conspicuous place in the house; she never has learned not to trust the
entire world. I allowed the thief to escape so we need give no further
time to him. But tell me the whole story--who are you, how did the man
get into the house and why are you here alone?"

At last, in the first opportunity which had been vouchsafed her, Vera
endeavored to explain what had occurred. As she spoke she could feel
herself being observed with the keenest, most searching scrutiny. Yet
for some reason, although never having heard the name or seen her
companion before, she had no thought of disputing her visitor's right to
whatever information she desired. The dark eyes in the weather-beaten
old face were wise and kind; the manner belonged to a woman accustomed
to being obeyed.

Later Vera and her guest made a careful tour of the lower part of the
house. Of course the cook had vanished soon after her husband. But they
were downstairs in time to meet the police when they finally made their
appearance.

Vera opened the door, yet she stood aside to hear her companion
announce.

"You can go away again. No, we have no need of you, the telephone call
was a mistake."

Finally when the