hey
would indeed! But let's take up the tale from the present moment."

"Oh, wait a minute,--do! Who rescued you? Why haven't you----"

"Lumbermen,--camp, miles from any sort of a lemon. Couldn't get into
communication. Fiercest winter ever known,--everything cut off from
everything else. Came home the minute I could,--and,--oh, thunder! how I
want to know things! Tell me heaps, do! And who are you, anyway?"

"Heavens, what a tale! Yes, I'll tell you everything, but what shall I
fly at first? And--oh, I can't stand the responsibility of your secret!
I can't! Why are you keeping it secret? On account of your father?"

"Yes, that's the sole reason. How can I come forward,--the son who is
supposed dead,--who is supposed to come back as a spook,--the son who
has had a book written about him----"

"Oh, what a situation! And your father so wrapped up in the whole
business,--so positive in his beliefs----"

"And that rascally medium!"

"And those wicked materializations!"

"And the fool Ouija Board!"

"And that letter from you to Julie--oh, I say!"

"And _I_ say! But, tell me, what can I do? Do you see it as I do? That I
must go away again, disappear forever,--or----"

"Or break your father's heart,-- I mean,--oh, I don't know what I mean!
Mr. Peter, I think I'll lose my mind!"

"I've almost lost mine, puzzling over the thing. But I've put the kibosh
on that Parlato!"

"Oh, that's why you were there! I got things all wrong, didn't I? And
you came to your own home----"

"Only because of a terrible attack of homesickness. You see, I still
have my latch key, and if you hadn't seen me, I should have merely had a
good look around, and then silently steal away, without, however,
stealing anything else!"

Zizi smiled at her accusation of his burglarious intent, and then sat
musing.

"I can't grapple with it," she said, at last. "It's too big. I shall
telegraph for Mr. Wise. He must come back at once and help us."

"Now, look here, Miss Zizi, I'm not lying down on this job myself. I'm
not asking you to carry my burdens or fight my battles. I am very much
able to hoe my own row,--only I fear it's going to be a hard one. I'm
going to depend on you for help, if I may, but I'll take the helm; Peter
Boots leads, he doesn't follow."

Zizi gazed at him, her eyes moist with emotional admiration. This man,
this splendid, fine man,--to efface himself to save his father's
reputation,--it was too bad! She couldn't stand it.