to have seen
him frequently in their home, in her father's car, and she recalled one
fishing expedition to the Tulare Lake region where he had been a member
of her father's party.

"Of course you have forgotten me, Mr. Worthington," she said as she
approached his desk. "I have grown such a tall person during the past
four years."

The white-haired financier rose and stretched out his hand.

"You exact replica of Alexander Strong," he said laughingly, "I couldn't
forget you any more than I could forget your father. That fine fishing
trip where you proved such a grand little scout is bright in my memory
as one of my happiest vacations. Sit down and tell me what I can do for
you."

Linda sat down and told him that she was dissatisfied with the manner in
which her father's estate was being administered.

He listened very carefully to all she had to say, then he pressed a
button and gave a few words of instruction to the clerk who answered
it. When several ledgers and account books were laid before him,
with practiced hand he turned to what he wanted. The records were not
complicated. They covered a period of four years. They showed exactly
what monies had been paid into the bank for the estate. They showed what
royalties had been paid on the books. Linda sat beside him and watched
his pencil running up and down columns, setting down a list of items,
and making everything plain. Paid cheques for household expenses I and
drygoods bills were all recorded and deducted. With narrow, alert eyes,
Linda was watching, and her brain was keenly alive. As she realized the
discrepancy between the annual revenue from the estate and the totaling
of the expenses, she had an inspiration. Something she never before had
thought of occurred to her. She looked the banker in the eye and said
very quietly: "And now, since she is my sister and I am going to be of
age very shortly and these things must all be gone into and opened up,
would it be out of place for me to ask you this afternoon to let me have
a glimpse at the private account of Miss Eileen Strong?"

The banker drew a deep breath and looked at Linda keenly.

"That would not be customary," he said slowly.

"No?" said Linda. "But since Father and Mother went out at the same time
and there was no will and the property would be legally divided equally
between us upon my coming of age, would my sister be entitled to a
private account?"

"Had she any sources of obtaining money out