"

"Stop! You persist in treating this affair as a joke. It is NOT a
joke--to my cousin, or to me. Did you tell that man you would help him?"

"No."

"I knew it! I was certain of it! Of course you didn't!"

"Pardon me, Miss Howes," put in Daniels. "We have not heard all yet.
Kendrick, do I understand that you told your cousin and--er--benefactor
that you would NOT help him in his infamous scheme?"

John's patience was nearing its limits. He smiled no more.

"I don't know what you understand, Daniels," he said, crisply. "Your
understanding in many matters is beyond me."

"But did you say you would not help him?" persisted Emily.

"Why no, not exactly. He did not wait to hear what I had to say. He
seemed to take my assistance for granted."

Daniels laughed scornfully.

"You see, Miss Howes?" he said again. Then, turning to Thankful: "Mrs.
Barnes, I met Mr. Holliday Kendrick on the street just after he had come
from the interview with his--er--attorney. He told me that he intended
to force you into giving up your property to him and he told me also
that his cousin here had the case in his hands and would work to
carry it through. There seemed to be no doubt in his mind that this
gentleman," indicating John, "had accepted the responsibility. In fact
he said he had."

Captain Obed snorted. "That's plaguy nonsense!" he declared. "I know
better. John ain't that kind of feller. You wouldn't help anybody to
turn a woman out of her house and home, would you, John? Course you
wouldn't. The swab! Just 'cause he's got money he cal'lates he can run
everything. Well, he can't."

"Goodness knows I hope he can't!" moaned Thankful.

"And in the meantime we are waiting to hear what his lawyer has to say,"
observed Heman.

John stepped forward. "Daniels," he said, "it strikes me that your
'we's' are a bit frequent. Why are you interfering in this affair?"

Mr. Daniels drew himself up. "I am not interfering," he replied. "My
interest is purely that of a friend. AS a friend I told Miss Howes
what your cousin said to me. She seemed to doubt my word. In justice to
myself I propose to prove that I have spoken the truth, that is all. So
far I think I may say that I have proved it. Now I demand to know what
you intend doing. Are you for Mrs. Barnes or against her?"

"So you demand that, do you?"

"I do. Will you answer?"

"No."

"Ah ha! I thought not."

"I'll answer no demands from you. Why should I? If Mrs. Barnes or Mi