of the social events of the
Washington season, and the instant popularity the girls had attained
proved a source of pride to Colonel McIntyre. His chief pleasure
consisted in gratifying their every whim, and Dr. Stone, knowing the
family as he did, wondered at the faintly discernible air of constraint
in the girl's manner. Usually frank to a sometimes embarrassing degree,
she appeared to some disadvantage as she sat gazing moodily at the tips
of her patent-leather pumps. Dr. Stone's attention shifted to Colonel
McIntyre and lastly to the pretty widow at his elbow. Had Dame Rumor
spoken truly in the report, widely circulated, that the colonel had
fallen a victim to the charms of Margaret Brewster, his daughters'
guest? If so, it might account for the young girl's manner--however
devoted McIntyre's daughters might be to Mrs. Brewster as a friend
and companion, they might resent having so young a woman for their
step-mother.

Not receiving any reply to his remarks, McIntyre was about to address
his daughter again when she spoke.

"Jimmie will be justified," she declared stoutly. "Has the coroner held
the autopsy yet, Dr. Stone?"

"Autopsy!" McIntyre spoke with sharp abruptness. "I thought it was
clearly established that Jimmie died from angina pectoris?"

"It is so believed," responded Stone. His mystification was growing; had
not Helen informed her father of the scene which had transpired at
the police court, and of her request to the coroner? "I understand the
post-mortem examination will be made this afternoon, Helen."

A heavy paper knife, nicely balanced between McIntyre's well manicured
fingers, dropped to the floor as a step sounded behind him and the
butler, Grimes, stopped by his side.

"Mr. Rochester just telephoned that his partner, Mr. Harry Kent, is
out of town, Miss"--bowing to the silent girl. Grimes always contented
himself with addressing his "young ladies" by the simple prefix "Miss,"
and never added their given names, because, as he expressed it, "them
twins are alike as two peas, and which is which, I dunno." Considering
himself one of the family from his long service with Colonel McIntyre,
he kept a watchful eye on the twins, but their pranks in childhood had
often exasperated him into giving notice, which he generally found it
convenient to forget when the first of a new month came around.

"Mr. Kent will be back to-morrow," added the butler, as silence followed
the delivery of his message. "