tative of a
muck-raking magazine," countered her visitor, in covert concern.

"From the lack of actual information in your replies one might almost
imagine you were," Helen cordially agreed. "Now are you going to
answer my inquiry?"

"Well, the Guardian directors selected another man to take charge of
its underwriting affairs, and we didn't hit it off very well--naturally
he did things in his own way."

"I know," said the girl, nodding her head; "Mr. Gunterson."

"Good heavens!" said the young man, "is there any use in my attempting
to give information to some one who already has it all? If you know
all about this and what has gone on, why ask me?"

"I wanted to hear what you'd say. It is a natural desire, I'm sure,
and you ought to be willing to help gratify it. You see, you are
responsible for my interest in the affairs of your insurance company,
and you have almost a parental responsibility."

"How is Wilkinson?" said Smith, engagingly.

"Presently it may be that the conversation can be diverted to Mr.
Wilkinson. But not now."

"Well, then, to go back to the affairs of the Guardian, how is Mr.
Osgood? It's rather dangerous for a man who's been in harness so long
to get out of it so suddenly. It's not good for a man--in my opinion."

"More adroit--for I really want to tell you about Uncle Silas. But
business first--then pleasure."

"Well," said her visitor, with resignation, "go ahead, Miss Portia."

"I wish to know all about what happened in the Guardian while Mr.
Gunterson was in charge," said Helen, simply.

And finally, with a few evasions which were immediately detected and
some omissions which were possibly suspected, Smith told the story of
the decline of the Guardian.

"So Mr. Gunterson left," commented the girl, when all was said. "What
happened then?"

"Why, that's substantially all, to date," returned the New Yorker,
dishonestly; "except that I've been sent up here to see what I can do
to improve our position in Boston."

"Ah! Who sent you? Who is in charge of the Guardian now?" continued
Miss Maitland, calmly.

"Mr. Wintermuth, of course," replied her victim.

"And under Mr. Wintermuth? Has no one been elected to fill Mr.
Gunterson's place?"

"Well, you see, Mr. Gunterson only resigned a few days ago. Boards of
directors don't as a rule move very rapidly. There hasn't really been
a great deal of time."

"Who has been elected to fill Mr. Gunterson's place?"

"Are you