councilor of my camp--so interested in my scheme
that she insisted on going up there to help me. And Mrs. Congdon thought
that would be a fine place to hide her Edith while the family rumpus was
on. I was to run with Edith as hard as I could for Heart o' Dreams, my
girls' camp, you know, up in Michigan."

"How stupid I am! With a word you might have made unnecessary our two
altercations!"

"The matter, as you can see, is very delicate, even hazardous. I had
never been a kidnaper and when you saw me on those two occasions I was
terribly alarmed, not finding Mrs. Congdon where she expected to be. And
I must say that you added nothing to my peace of mind."

"Please note that I am drinking coffee at midnight! I shouldn't have
dared do that before your cheering advice in Washington. We have but a
moment more, and I shall give you in tabloid form my adventures to
date."

It was the Isabel of the Washington dinner party who listened. She was
deeply interested and amused, and at times he had the satisfaction of
reading in her face what he hopefully interpreted as solicitude for his
safety. He confined himself to essentials so rigidly that she protested
constantly that he was not doing his story justice. Of the Governor he
spoke guardedly, finding that Isabel knew nothing about him beyond a
shadowy impression she had derived from Ruth that he was a wanderer who
had charmed her fancy.

"If he hasn't told you of the beginning of their acquaintance, I must
have a care," said Isabel. "He and Ruth met oddly enough in a settlement
house--I needn't say where it was--where Ruth was a volunteer worker.
Your friend turned up there as a tramp and she didn't know at once that
he was masquerading. Afterward he threw himself in her path, most
ingeniously, in his proper role of a gentleman, in a summer place where
she was visiting, and that added to the charm of the mystery. I can see
that he's very unusual. You've told me more than she knows about him,
but even that leaves a good deal to be desired. In all the world there's
no girl like Ruth; there must be no question of her happiness!"

"You needn't be afraid. In spite of his singular ways I'd trust him
round the world. We can't stay here longer, I suppose; there's a young
blade at the door looking for you now. Is there any way I can serve
you?"

"Ruth has explained all that to Mr. Saulsbury by now. She felt sure that
he would help; and, believe me, I have confidence in you."

"Th