and it all," she broke in. "I understand that this might
lead to the failure of the thing you are trying to do. But I don't
care. I understand that already I have lost my father and my
brother in this; that my grandmother and my mother were nearly
starved to death while it was all being planned; all for these
hideous diamonds. Diamonds! Diamonds! Diamonds! I've heard
nothing all my life but that. As a child it was dinned into me, and
now I am sick and weary of it all. I know--I _know_ something has
happened to him now. I hate them! I hate them!"

She stopped, glared at him with scornful eyes for an instant, then
ran up the stairs again. Mr. Wynne touched a button in the wall, and
the maid appeared.

"Go lock the back door, and bring me the key," he commanded.

The maid went away, and a moment later returned to hand him the key.
He still stood in the hall, waiting.

After a little there came a rush of skirts, and Miss Kellner ran down
the steps, dressed for the street.

"Doris," he pleaded, "you must not go out now. Wait just a moment--
we'll find a way, and then I'll go with you."

She tried to pass him, but his outstretched arms made her a prisoner.

"Do I understand that you refuse to let me go?" she asked tensely.

"Not like this," he replied. "If you'll give me just a little while
then perhaps--perhaps I may go with you. Even if something had
happened there you could do nothing alone. I, too, am afraid now.
Just half an hour--fifteen minutes! Perhaps I may be able to find a
plan."

Suddenly she sank down on the stairs, with her face in her hands. He
caressed her hair tenderly, then raised her to her feet.

"Suppose you step into the back parlor here," he requested. "Just
give me fifteen minutes. Then, unless I can find a way for us to go
together safely, we will throw everything aside and go anyway.
Forgive me, dear."

She submitted quietly to be led along the hall. He opened the door
into a room and stood aside for her to pass.

"Gene, Gene!" she exclaimed.

Her soft arms found their way about his neck, and she drew his face
down and kissed him; then, without a word, she entered the room and
closed the door. A minute passed--two, four, five--and Mr. Wynne
stood as she left him, then he opened the front door and stepped out.

Frank Claflin was just starting toward the house from the corner with
deliberate pace when he glanced up and saw Mr. Wynne signaling for
him to approach.