terest in looking over the papers that still
remain to be examined--"

Before he could get to the end of the sentence Miss Jethro's agitation
broke through her reserve.

"Do what you proposed to do!" she burst out vehemently. "Stop her at
once from carrying her examination any further! If she hesitates, insist
on it!"

At last Doctor Allday had triumphed! "It has been a long time coming,"
he remarked, in his cool way; "and it's all the more welcome on that
account. You dread the discoveries she may make, Miss Jethro, as I do.
And _you_ know what those discoveries may be."

"What I do know, or don't know, is of no importance." she answered
sharply.

"Excuse me, it is of very serious importance. I have no authority over
this poor girl--I am not even an old friend. You tell me to insist. Help
me to declare honestly that I know of circumstances which justify me;
and I may insist to some purpose."

Miss Jethro lifted her veil for the first time, and eyed him
searchingly.

"I believe I can trust you," she said. "Now listen! The one
consideration on which I consent to open my lips, is consideration for
Miss Emily's tranquillity. Promise me absolute secrecy, on your word of
honor."

He gave the promise.

"I want to know one thing, first," Miss Jethro proceeded. "Did she tell
you--as she once told me--that her father had died of heart-complaint?"

"Yes."

"Did you put any questions to her?"

"I asked how long ago it was."

"And she told you?"

"She told me."

"You wish to know, Doctor Allday, what discoveries Miss Emily may yet
make, among her aunt's papers. Judge for yourself, when I tell you that
she has been deceived about her father's death."

"Do you mean that he is still living?"

"I mean that she has been deceived--purposely deceived--about the
_manner_ of his death."

"Who was the wretch who did it?"

"You are wronging the dead, sir! The truth can only have been concealed
out of the purest motives of love and pity. I don't desire to disguise
the conclusion at which I have arrived after what I have heard from
yourself. The person responsible must be Miss Emily's aunt--and the old
servant must have been in her confidence. Remember! You are bound in
honor not to repeat to any living creature what I have just said."

The doctor followed Miss Jethro to the door. "You have not yet told me,"
he said, "_how_ her father died."

"I have no more to tell you."

With those words she left him.

He ran