d to
David's door. Apprehension filled him suddenly, not so much because
there was any reason for apprehension as because he was nervous. Anger
went up, too, that the wretched girl should have upset the first calm
and peaceful moment of the morning, so that it is quite possible that
Anthony failed to smile as he entered the chamber.

For that matter, Mary was not smiling either. She stood at the foot of
the bed, clinging to it, and her bosom heaved and her eyes bored into
Anthony Fry.

"That--that man!" she whispered quite dramatically.

"He is merely an old friend of mine, Miss Mary," Anthony said
impatiently. "I have no idea of mentioning your existence, far less
of----"

"Did your man say _Robert_ Vining?"

"Of course."

"Is that the Robert Vining of Vining & Dale, lawyers, in Wall Street?"
Mary cried softly.

"Of course," said Anthony. "It isn't possible that you know him?"

"_Know_ him?" Mary echoed wildly. "That's the man I'm going to marry!"

CHAPTER IX

Crime?

Entering, the Owner of Fry's Imperial Liniment had been justifiably
annoyed. Twenty seconds after entering, Mary's obvious excitement had
caused the annoyance to give place to not very interested wonder; but
now Mary had claimed all his attention and the annoyance was all gone.
Indeed, as a quantity to claim one's whole attention Mary had been a
success from the very beginning.

Anthony Fry, then, scowled flitting incredulity at her; and the
absurdity of being incredulous of one who panted and shook as did Mary
becoming at once apparent, Anthony paled somewhat.

"I cannot--believe that such an astonishing coincidence----" he began.

"What you believe or don't believe doesn't interest me!" Mary said
swiftly. "Did I hear him talking about that wretched fight last night?"

"Er--yes."

"He was there?"

"Of course."

"Well, it's the same Robert Vining!" Mary whispered. "Get him out of
here!"

"But----"

"Don't argue about it! Get him out of here!" said Mary. "Do you suppose
I want him to come wandering down this way and _find me_?"

"He will not do that, because----"

"How do you know whether he will or not?" Mary demanded hotly. "Why did
he have to come here? It's all his fault--the whole thing's his fault!
If he hadn't refused to take me to that beastly old fight and made such
a time about it, I'd never have made up my mind to go, anyway!"

"So that's what happened?" Anthony muttered.

"That is what happened. Now get