ut up as security. But I don't see how we have any
incontestable proof of it."

"Proof? What more do we want?"

"We'd have no witness to any of these transactions; nor have we
documentary proofs. It's merely moral certainty; and moral certainty
isn't much in a court of law. I'll see him, if you say so, though, and
scare him into some sort of an arrangement."

Orde shook his head.

"No," said he decidedly. "Rather not. I'll run this. Please say
nothing."

"Of course not!" interjected Taylor, a trifle indignantly.

"And I'll figure out what I want to do."

Orde pressed Taylor to stay to supper; but the latter declined. After
a few moments' conversation on general topics the lawyer took his
departure, secretly marvelling over the phlegmatic way in which Orde
had taken what had been to Taylor, when he first stumbled against it, a
shocking piece of news.

XLVII

Orde did not wish to return to the office until he had worked his
problem out; so, to lend his absence the colour of naturalness, he
drove back next morning to the booms. There he found enough to keep him
occupied all that day and the next. As in those times the long distance
telephone had not yet been attempted, he was cut off from casual
communication with the village. Late in the afternoon he returned home.

A telephone to Carroll apprised him that all was well with her. A few
moments later the call sounded, and Orde took a message that caused him
to look grave and to whistle gently with surprise. He ate supper with
Bobby. About star-time he took his hat and walked slowly down the street
beneath the velvet darkness of the maples. At Newmark's he turned in
between the oleanders.

Mallock answered his ring.

"No, sir, Mr. Newmark is out, sir," said Mallock. "I'll tell him you
called, sir," and started respectfully but firmly to close the door.

But Orde thrust his foot and knee in the opening.

"I'll come in and wait," said he quietly.

"Yes, sir, this way, sir," said Mallock, trying to indicate the
dining-room, where he wished Orde to sit until he could come at his
master's wishes in the matter.

Orde caught the aroma of tobacco and the glimmer of light to the left.
Without reply he turned the knob of the door and entered the library.

There he found Newmark in evening dress, seated in a low easy chair
beneath a lamp, smoking, and reading a magazine. At Orde's appearance
in the doorway, he looked up calmly, his paper knife poised, keep