el like heaping on the coals, all right, when
you learn the name of your stranger. You had better get a shovelful
ready, for I am going to tell you."

Mrs. Bean was busy setting the table for she knew how the men would
appreciate a cup of hot tea and some of her fresh homemade bread after
their long cold drive. She paused with a plate in her hand and looked
keenly at Jasper as he stood with his back to the stove. When he had
mentioned evil angels she thought that he was joking. But now
something told her that he was in earnest. Suddenly there flashed into
her mind an idea which made her heart thump.

"There is only one person in the world who is my enemy, as far as I
know," she remarked.

"The man who is stealing your logs, eh?" Jasper queried.

"Yes. But surely he's not in there!"

"Get your coals ready, Mrs. Bean," Jasper bantered. "You can use them
right away if you want to."

Mrs. Bean paid no attention to these words. Her worn face grew a shade
paler and her hand shook as she laid the plate upon the table. Just
then the doctor entered the kitchen.

"We must have a trained nurse at once," he began. "That's a very sick
man in there, Mrs. Bean, and he must have the greatest of care."

"I shall do the best I can, sir," was the quiet reply. "No one shall
ever say of me that I didn't do my duty. I have tried to do it in the
past and shall try to do it still."

"I know you will do what you can, Mrs. Bean," and the doctor's voice
was more gentle than usual, "but you must have assistance. No one
could expect you to look after the house and take care of such a sick
man as that. We must send to the city for a nurse at once."

"What about Miss Sinclair?" Jasper asked. "She should be told of her
father's illness. I was planning to phone to her when we get hack to
Creekdale. She could arrange for a nurse to come by train, and I could
meet her at the station. This is Christmas Day and I'm afraid it will
be difficult to get a nurse to come on go short a notice. She would
have to come on the suburban this evening, though, as that will be the
only train she would be able to get."

"Do the best you can," the doctor replied. "I shall stay here to-day.
It would not do for me to leave now until some one comes to help Mrs.
Bean."

The sun was just rising above the far-off horizon as Jasper rode into
Creekdale. Not a breath of wind was astir, and the only signs of life
were the long wreathes of smoke ci