she dared
to say a sharp thing? And she's a good actress, mind you. It took her
years to act as a mother can act with a son."

"Quite natural, I think. He went away a boy, came back a rich man, and
was able to boss things, having the cash."

"You think! You! I've seen ten years of your thinking! Well, I thought
too. I saw a chance for cash, where I smelled a mystery. Do you know
that he isn't a Catholic? Do you know that he's strange to all Catholic
ways? that he doesn't know how to hear Mass, to kneel when he enters a
pew, to bless himself when he takes the holy water at the door? Do you
know that he never goes to communion? And therefore he never goes to
confession. Didn't I watch for years, so that I might find out what was
wrong with him, and make some money?"

"All that's very plausible," said her husband. "Only, there are many
Catholics in this town, and in particular the Californians, that forgot
as much as he forgot about their religion, and more."

"But he is not a Catholic," she persisted. "There's an understanding
between him and Monsignor O'Donnell. They exchange looks when they meet.
He visits the priest when he feels like it, but in public they keep
apart. Oh, all round, that Arthur Dillon is the strangest fellow; but
he plays his part so well that fools like you, Dick, are tricked."

"You put a case well, Dearie. But it doesn't convince me. However," for
he knew her whim must be obeyed, "I don't mind trying again to find
Horace Endicott in this Arthur Dillon."

"And of course," with a sneer, "you'll begin with the certainty that
there's nothing in the theory. What can the cleverest man discover, when
he's sure beforehand that there's nothing to discover?"

"My word, Colette, if I take up the matter, I'll convince you that
you're wrong, or myself that you're right. And I'll begin right here
this minute. I believe with you that we have found Endicott at last.
Then the first question I ask myself is: who helped Horace Endicott to
become Arthur Dillon?"

"Monsignor O'Donnell of course," she answered.

"Then Endicott must have known the priest before he disappeared: known
him so as to trust him, and to get a great favor from him? Now, Sonia
didn't know that fact."

"That fool of a woman knows nothing, never did, never will," she
snapped.

"Well, for the sake of peace let us say he was helped by Monsignor, and
knew the priest a little before he went away. Monsignor helped him to
find his present h