keep a caller waiting on the
doorstep would, in his category, rank as the height of impropriety. As
Kent again raised his hand toward the bell, the door swung open suddenly
and Barbara beckoned to him to come inside.

"The bell is out of order," she explained. "I saw you from the window.
Hurry, and Grimes won't know that you are here," and she darted ahead of
him into the reception room. Kent followed more slowly; he was hurt that
she had had no other greeting for him.

"Babs, aren't you glad to see me?" he asked wistfully.

For an instant her eyes were lighted by her old sunny smile.

"You know I am," she whispered softly. As his arms closed around her
and their lips met in a tender kiss she added fervently, "Oh, Harry, why
didn't you make me marry you in the happy bygone days?"

"I asked you often enough," he declared.

"Will you go with me to Rockville at once?" Her face changed and she
drew back from him. "No," she said. "It is selfish of me to think of my
own happiness now."

"How about mine?" demanded Kent with warmth. "If you won't consider
yourself, consider me."

"I do." She looked out of the window to conceal sudden blinding tears.
There was a hint of hidden tragedy in her lovely face which went to
Kent's heart.

"Sweetheart," his voice was very tender, "is there nothing I can do for
you?"

"Nothing," she shook her head drearily. "This family must 'dree its
weir.'"

Kent studied her in silence; that she was in deadly earnest he
recognized, she was no hysterical fool or given to sentimental twaddle.

"You came to me on Wednesday to ask my aid in solving Jimmie Turnbull's
death," he said. "I have learned certain facts--"

Barbara sprang to her feet. "Wait," she cautioned. "Let me close the
door. Now, go on--" with her customary impetuosity she reseated herself.

"Before I do so, I must tell you, Babs, that I recognized the fraud you
and Helen perpetrated at the coroner's inquest yesterday afternoon."

"Fraud?"

"Yes," quietly. "I am aware that you impersonated Helen on the witness
stand and vice versa. You took a frightful risk."

"I don't see why," she protested. "In my testimony I told nothing but
the truth."

"I never doubted you told the truth regarding the events of Monday night
as you saw them, but the coroner's questions were put to you under the
impression that you were Helen." Kent scrutinized her keenly. "Would
Helen have been able to give the same answers that you did without