nly."

He hesitated, not knowing exactly what his next move should be. And
Seth, having had time to collect, in a measure, his scattered wits,
began to do some thinking on his own account.

"Say," he said suddenly, "if you knew all this aforehand, what are you
askin' these questions for?"

"That," Bennie D.'s gesture was one of lofty disdain, "is my business."

"I want to know! Well, then, maybe I've got some business of my own. Who
made my business your business? Hey?"

"The welfare of my sister--"

"Never you mind your sister. You're talkin' with me now. And you ain't
got me penned up in a house, neither. By jiminy crimps!" His anger
boiled over, and, to the inventor's eyes, he began to look alarmingly
alive. "By jiminy crimps!" repeated Seth, "I've been prayin' all these
years to meet you somewheres alone, and now I've a good mind to--to--"

His big fist closed. Bennie D. stepped backward out of reach.

"Bascom--" he cried, "don't--"

"Don't you call me that!"

"Bascom--" The inventor was thoroughly frightened, and his voice rose
almost to a shout.

The lightkeeper's wrath vanished at the sound of the name. If any native
of Eastboro, if the depot master on the other side of the track, should
hear him addressed as "Bascom," the fat would be in the fire for good
and all. The secret he had so jealously guarded would be out, and all
the miserable story would, sooner or later, be known.

"Don't call me Bascom," he begged. "Er--please don't."

Bennie D.'s courage returned. Yet he realized that if a trump card was
to be played it must be then. This man was dangerous, and, somehow
or other, his guns must be spiked. A brilliant idea occurred to him.
Exactly how much of the truth Seth knew he was not sure, but he took the
risk.

"Very well then--Atkins," he said contemptuously. "I am not used to
aliases--not having dealt with persons finding it necessary to employ
them--and I forget. But before this disagreeable interview is ended I
wish you to understand thoroughly why I am here. I am here to protect my
sister and to remove her from your persecution. I am here to assist her
in procuring a divorce."

"A divorce! A DIVORCE! Good heavens above!"

"Yes, sir," triumphantly, "a divorce from the man she was trapped into
marrying and who deserted her. You did desert her, you can't deny
that. So long as she remains your wife, even in name, she is liable
to persecution from you. She understands this. She and I are t