her! known him a long time. I heard from him the other day,"
answered Hal, boldly.

May walked away, but not hurriedly, and Hal, seizing his opportunity,
followed her out of the room.

"What a delightful morning, Miss Goodchild."

"Yes, it is," she answered. Then after a pause, she added, "Mr. Winter,
you said you had heard from Mr. Wyckliffe. Can you tell me when he will
return, as he is a friend of mine."

"Now I remember, Miss Goodchild. I have important news for you
concerning him."

"What! news of him for me. Oh! tell me at once, please," and her whole
face lit up with expectation.

"It is rather a long story," said Hal. "If we could talk together
privately it would be preferable."

"Oh, I'll arrange that. You can come to my sitting-room. I'll just run
and tell Mrs. Eastwood," and away she flew in a happy, childish way,
very different to her languid manner previously. Mrs. Eastwood could
scarcely believe, her eyes as the girl rushed into the office, crying:

"He has news for me. I am taking him to my parlour."

"This way, Mr. Winter," she cried out, as she re-appeared and ran up the
stairs. "Do hurry, I am so anxious. There, come this way and sit down.
Now we are quite private. Go on."

Her haste had left Hal breathless, and he was rather taken aback, as he
had scarcely had time to formulate his plan of action.

"Before I commence, I wish to ask your permission to--"

"It is granted," she said, hurriedly.

"Your permission to speak in an open and candid way, and that you will
hear me out to the end."

"Most decidedly, but why this precaution? You said Wyck was a friend of
yours."

"Pardon me, Miss Goodchild, I never said he was a friend of mine. He is
anything but that."

"But you will bear in mind, sir, he is a friend of mine, and if you have
anything to his disparagement to say I would rather not hear it for I
love him. There now it is out."

"I am obliged for your candour, but as what I have to say is not to his
credit, I had better leave."

"No sir, since you put it that way, I will hear you."

Once more was the tale repeated, but never before with the strength and
pathos that Hal put into his voice now. At the conclusion, neither spoke
for some moments. At last, May broke the silence:

"You can prove your statements, Mr. Winter?"

"Yes, unfortunately for my friend I can. They have left undoubted traces
behind them."

"If you can prove them, and Wyck turns out the villain you say, t