ngly," said Mr. Starkweather, with trembling lips. "But I want you to
understand, Helen, that if he had not left the city he would undoubtedly
have been in a cell when you were born."

"I don't know that that would have killed me--especially, if by staying
here, he might have come to trial and been freed of suspicion."

"But he could not be freed of suspicion."

"Why not? I don't see that the evidence was conclusive," declared the
girl, hotly. "At least, _he_ knew of none such. And I want to know now
every bit of evidence that could be brought against him."

"Useless! Useless!" muttered her uncle, wiping his brow.

"It is not useless. My father was accused of a crime of which he wasn't
guilty. Why, his friends here--those who knew him in the old days--will
think me the daughter of a criminal!"

"But you are not likely to meet any of them----"

"Why not?" demanded Helen, quickly.

"Surely you do not expect to remain here in New York long enough for
that?" said Uncle Starkweather, exasperated. "I tell you, I cannot permit
it."

"I must learn what I can about that old trouble before I go back--if I go
back to Montana at all," declared his niece, doggedly.

Mr. Starkweather was silent for a few moments. He had begun the discussion
with the settled intention of telling Helen that she must return at once
to the West. But he knew he had no real right of control over the girl,
and to claim one would put him at the disadvantage, perhaps, of being made
to support her.

He saw she was a very determined creature, young as she was. If he
antagonized her too much, she might, indeed, go out and get a position to
support herself and remain a continual thorn in the side of the family.

So he took another tack. He was not a successful merchant and real estate
operator for nothing. He said:

"I do not blame you, Helen, for _wishing_ that that old cloud over your
father's name might be dissipated. I wish so, too. But, remember, long ago
your--ahem!--your aunt and I, as well as Fenwick Grimes, endeavored to get
to the bottom of the mystery. Detectives were hired. Everything possible
was done. And to no avail."

She watched him narrowly, but said nothing.

"So, how can you be expected to do now what was impossible when the matter
was fresh?" pursued her uncle, suavely. "If I could help you----"

"You can," declared the girl, suddenly.

"Will you tell me how?" he asked, in a rather vexed tone.

"By telling me where to fin