the softly-stepping Alfred was
loitering suspiciously. He approached Evan.

"Something doing to-day, eh?" he said with his obsequious-impudent
leer. "Where did you two go?"

Evan's gorge rose at the man. He saw nothing to be gained now by
hiding his feelings. "You damn sneak!" he said quietly. "Keep away
from me, or I'll hurt you!"

Alfred, with a scared and venomous look, slunk down-stairs. Evan felt
better.

Presently George Deaves called him back into the library. At what had
taken place between father and son he could only guess. The old man's
attitude had changed; he was disposed to be friendly. Divided between
their fears and their suspicions father and son were continually making
these face-abouts.

George Deaves said in his pompous way: "My father has re-considered his
decision not to employ you further. He will be glad to have you stay
according to the original arrangement."

"That's right," added the old man. "I just spoke a little hasty. I
always said you were a good boy."

Evan's face hardened. "I'm not sure that I want the job," he said.

"Forty dollars a week's a fine salary," said Simeon Deaves.

"I'll stay for fifty," said Evan coolly.

They both gasped. "Are you trying to hold us up?" cried George Deaves.

"If that's what you want to call it," said Evan. "You force me to. If
I appear anxious for the job, you will soon be accusing me again of
being in the gang. As a matter of fact I don't care whether I stay or
not."

"Well, I'll pay it," said George Deaves with a sour face, "provided
you'll agree to investigate the list Hassell gave us in your spare
time."

"I'll do it," said Evan. "I'm interested. You'd better discharge
Alfred who is certainly a spy, and get a detective in his place to keep
a watch on the other servants."

"Those fellows cost ten dollars a day!" cried Simeon Deaves.

"The blackmailers are getting five thousand out of you every
fortnight," retorted Evan.

"I do not see the necessity for a detective," said George Deaves
loftily. "As long as I'm paying you all this money. You can look out
for that side of the case as well."

"Just as you like," said Evan smiling. It was hopeless to try to argue
with these people.

Alfred entered, and giving Evan a wide berth laid a long envelope on
George Deaves' desk. "Brought by messenger," he said. "No answer."
He left the room.

Deaves paled as his eyes fell on the superscription.

"The same handwrit