had entered into this quarrel. Indeed, Mrs. Deaves was for
ordering him out of the room again, but the old man was too quick for
her. He placed the latest letter in Evan's hands. Mrs. Deaves turned
away with a shrug.

"Well, you know what I think of it," she said.

Evan read:

"Mr. George Deaves:

Dear Sir:

You thought we were bluffing, didn't you, when we said we had a chapter
to add to your father's biography? Well, here it is. Your rejection
of our proposal was received during the absence from town of our chief.
That accounts for the delay. Upon his return our chief instructed that
you were to be given a chance to read the matter before it was
published. So we enclose it. In the absence of any further
communication from you before noon, it will appear in this evening's
edition of the _Clarion_.

To-day your procedure for communicating with us must be as follows:
Bring the specified sum in cash to the house at 11 Van Dorn street. It
must be enclosed in an envelope or package. You must approach on foot.
Ring the bell; hand it to the woman who opens the door with the words:
'For the gentleman up-stairs' and leave at once. You may bring a
single attendant with you if you choose--you would probably be afraid
to come without one. But neither you nor he must linger, nor question
the woman, nor seek to penetrate beyond the front door. If you do so,
or bring any other persons with you or after you, let the consequences
be or your own head.

Yours as ever,
THE IKUNAHKATSI."

"What are you going to do?" asked Evan of George Deaves.

Maud snatched the answer from her husband's lips. "He's going to pay!"
she cried. "He can take you with him if he wants, as there's no one
else available. I've no objection to that. But if you go you're to do
exactly what the letter tells you and no more!"

As Evan continued to look to George Deaves, the latter was obliged to
nod a feeble assent.

"He hasn't got the money," put in Simeon Deaves.

"Then let him get it from you!"

"Not if I know it!"

"Well, I don't care where he gets it from. This story is
ruinous--ruinous! This story hits directly at me! If this is
published it would be impossible for me to go on living with George!"

"Bravo, Maud!" thought Evan. "You're some actress! What a bombshell I
could explode in this room if I wanted to!"

Maud's parting shot was: "At ten o'clock when the bank opens I will
take you there myself in the car."