ay think when they learn this; but I do not
share such thoughts with them. There is much in this I cannot
understand; but I know that it is not merely the result of what others
may think it--of 'a wife in more ports than one,' as you will hear the
lakemen put it. What lies under this is some great misadventure which
had changed and frustrated all your father's life."

Sherrill crossed the room and rang for a servant.

"I am going to ask you to be my guest for a short time, Alan," he
announced. "I have had your bag carried to your room; the man will
show you which one it is."

Alan hesitated; he felt that Sherrill had not told him all he
knew--that there were some things Sherrill purposely was withholding
from him; but he could not force Sherrill to tell more than he wished;
so after an instant's irresolution, he accepted the dismissal.

Sherrill walked with him to the door, and gave his directions to the
servant; he stood watching, as Alan and the man went up the stairs.
Then he went back and seated himself in the chair Alan had occupied,
and sat with hands grasping the arms of the chair while he stared into
the fire.

Fifteen minutes later, he heard his daughter's footsteps and looked up.
Constance halted in the door to assure herself that he was now alone;
then she came to him and, seating herself on the arm of the chair, she
put her hand on his thin hair and smoothed it softly; he felt for her
other hand with his and found it, and held it clasped between his palms.

"You've found out who he is, father?" she asked.

"The facts have left me no doubt at all as to that, little daughter."

"No doubt that he is----who?"

Sherrill was silent for a moment--not from uncertainty, but because of
the effect which what he must say would have upon her; then he told her
in almost the same words he had used to Alan. Constance started,
flushed, and her hand stiffened convulsively between her father's.

They said nothing more to one another; Sherrill seemed considering and
debating something within himself; and presently he seemed to come to a
decision. He got up, stooped and touched his daughter's hand, and left
the room. He went up the stairs and on the second floor he went to a
front room and knocked. Alan's voice told him to come in. Sherrill
went in and, when he had made sure that the servant was not with Alan,
he closed the door carefully behind him.

Then he turned back to Alan, and for an instant stood inde