t.

"I have been told--" she began. "I have been told--Oh, I can't tell you!
I am ashamed to repeat such wicked nonsense. Mr. Daniels may tell you;
it was he who told me."

John turned to his fellow practitioner.

"Very well," he said. "Now, Daniels, what is it?"

Heman did not hesitate.

"Miss Howes has heard," he said, deliberately, "that your client, Mr.
Holliday Kendrick, is determined to force Mrs. Barnes here into selling
him this house and land, to force her to sell whether she wishes it or
not. Is that true?"

John nodded, gravely.

"I'm afraid it is," he said. "He seems quite determined. In fact, he
said he had expressed that determination to the lady herself. He did
that, didn't he, Mrs. Barnes?"

Thankful, who had been so far a perplexed and troubled listener,
answered.

"Why, yes," she admitted. "He was here today and he give me to
understand that he wanted this property of mine and was goin' to have
it. If I wouldn't agree to sell it to him now then he'd drive me into
sellin' later on. That's about what he said."

Captain Obed struck his fists together.

"The swab!" he exclaimed. "Well, if that don't beat all my goin' to sea!
Humph! I'd like to know how he cal'lates to do it."

"Anything more, Daniels?" inquired John.

"Yes, there is something more. What we want to know from you, Kendrick,
is whether or not you, as his legal adviser, propose to help him in this
scheme of his. That is what we wish to know."

"We? What we? Has Mrs. Barnes--or Miss Howes--have they engaged you as
their attorney, Daniels?"

Before Daniels could reply Emily asked a question.

"Did he--has he asked you to help him?" she demanded. "Has he?"

John smiled. "I doubt if it could be called asking," he observed. "He
gave me orders to that effect shortly after he left here."

Emily gasped. Thankful and Captain Obed said, "Oh!" in concert. Heman
Daniels smiled triumphantly.

"You see, Miss Howes?" he said.

"One moment, Daniels," broke in Kendrick, sharply. "You haven't answered
my question yet. Just where do you come in on this?"

"I--I--" began Daniels, but once more Emily interrupted.

"Are you--" she cried. "Tell me; are you going to help that man force my
cousin into giving up her home?"

Again John smiled. "Well, to be frank," he said, "since it IS her home
and she doesn't wish to sell it I can't for the life of me see how she
can be forced into selling, with or without my valuable aid. Miss Howes,
I--