"Now, wait," she began; "wouldn't your father,--your mother,--rather
have you back with them in the flesh,--than to have their pride spared?"

"Answer that yourself," he returned. "I admit that if that question were
put to them, they would doubtless say yes. But that's not the thing. The
point is, they're reconciled to my loss, happy in the experiences
they're having,--delusions though they are,--and contented, even
exultant, in things as they are. Why disturb that happiness, for my
selfish reasons? Why not leave them to their Fools' Paradise,--for
that's what it is,--and not take the chance of what might easily be a
distressing disillusion?"

"It would indeed be that," Zizi spoke gravely; "I know it would. But
what will you do?"

"Go 'way off somewhere,--start fresh,--make a new name and fame for
myself and forget----"

"Sacrifice your own identity to your father's reputation?"

"Exactly that,--and, simply, it is my duty."

"And Carlotta Harper?"

Peter jumped.

"Tell me about Carly," he said, speaking thickly. "Is she engaged to
Shelby?"

"No, she isn't!"

"I heard she was."

"Probably he hinted it, and the report started. He's eternally after
her, but, to my certain knowledge she hasn't yet said yes."

"Oh, my God! Dear little Carly! What can I do?"

"She would go with you,--into a new life----"

"No; don't be absurd! This secret must be kept inviolably. Nor could I
marry her under an assumed name, even if she were willing. Also, she may
have forgotten me."

"No, she has not. Oh, Mr. Peter, you must come home."

"I can't. But tell me more,--tell me of mother, of Julie,--why, I sent a
reporter to the house just to get a line on home life,--on present
conditions,--oh, little girl, you don't know what I suffered; it's all
so foolish,--so absurd,--the spook stuff, I mean,--yet, as I've learned,
it's the very breath of life to my Dad."

"It is; but, look at the thing from another angle. Couldn't you help
unravel the Blair mystery. Here's Mr. Thorpe held for a crime I don't
think he committed; here's Julie crying her eyes out because of it----"

"Julie! She and Thorpe!"

"Yes, didn't you know that?"

"No; are they engaged?"

"In a way. If Thorpe should be freed Mr. Crane will give his consent. If
Thorpe is convicted----"

"He shan't be convicted! He never killed Blair! I'll find out who killed
Blair, and then I'll go away after that. I'll help Julie,--why, Thorpe
wouldn't kill Gilbert, why