to Miss
Oldham's affairs, when I ask you, who have been her intimate friend since
your early school-days,--what is the cause for the friendship between
Miss Oldham and Mademoiselle Mariposa? When did the acquaintance begin?"

Bea lifted sincere eyes to his. "Truly, Mr. Hayden, I do not know. I can
not throw any light on the subject. I remember though when we were
school-girls, Marcia used to spin some fascinating yarns about the
sayings and doings of her friend Ydo; but since the lady has made her
spectacular appearance as a fortune-teller, the Veiled Mariposa, and
become such a social fad, why, it is simply impossible to get any
information out of Marcia. Kitty and I have plied her with questions,
because we were both interested in mademoiselle, but Marcia shuts her
mouth tight and never says a word, merely remarking that for the present,
Ydo desires nothing should be known. The more mysterious she appears, the
better it is for business. Do you not think so?"

"Naturally," he replied.

"The only time I have ever seen them together, Ydo and Marcia," continued
Bea, who was in a loquacious mood and ready to be lured on by Hayden's
interest, "was one evening when I happened to see them dining together at
the Gildersleeve. They were with Mr.----" Bea hesitated the twinkling of
an eyelash, "an elderly man," she concluded rather lamely.

Hayden looked straight ahead. The words seemed to repeat themselves in
his brain. He remembered that other occasion when Marcia had been there
with an elderly man. His mind leaped to the conclusion that it was the
same--the same middle-aged person with whom he had later seen Marcia
driving down the Avenue, and Horace Penfield had smiled and made some
offensive remark about the rich uncle from Australia. He felt convinced
that this was the man who had sent Ydo the telegram the day before, for
Ydo knew him. Had he, Robert, not seen him at her apartment? The demon of
jealousy began its diabolical whisperings, a mist seemed to float before
Hayden's eyes; but with all the strength of his nature, he refused to
listen. This demon was a visitor that he was resolved not to admit, no
matter how insistent its demands. Had he not promised Marcia his heart's
fealty? Had he not vowed to himself that no matter what mysteries
encompassed and enmeshed her, he would believe and never doubt? And he
again determined with all the strength of his soul to hold that faith so
high and pure and clean that it should