stared at her. "Take my advice and consider
your contract with Richard Dodd annulled--for good and sufficient
reasons, Miss Kilgour. I don't want to say any more. I can't say any
more. This thing touches me on a sore spot. Don't be afraid. I'm not
angry at you. But just forget that fellow and go on about your own
business."

"I will do so, Colonel Dodd, after I have settled certain business with
him."

"What business?"

"I cannot tell you."

"You'll have to tell me," he insisted, roughly. "I'm now engaged in
looking into my nephew's affairs. I want all the information I can get."

"I can only ask you--implore you to tell me where he is."

"I'd like to know, myself," he retorted, bluntly. "I'd give considerable
to know. You needn't look at me as if you think I'm lying! Now you may
as well be frank with me, Miss Kilgour. I'm going to be frank with you.
I have always found you to be a young woman of prudence and caution.
I'll take a chance and tell you something which I have been keeping
to myself. I want you to know why you needn't feel bound to keep any
promise you have made to my nephew. He has played a despicable trick on
me, his own uncle, after all the help I have given him. He practically
stole five thousand dollars from me and has run away, and I don't know
where he is. Now, what have you to tell me?"

"I want to put this in his hands, sir." She produced a packet, at which
the colonel peered with curiosity. "You will certainly find out where he
is. I want you to give it to him."

"Oh, love-letters, eh?"

"No, sir!"

With shaking fingers she untied the cord and displayed the contents. The
packet was money, many bills stacked neatly, and the size of the bundle
made the colonel open his eyes very wide.

"We--I--we owe it to him, sir. There are five thousand dollars here."

"So that's what he did with my money, eh? Well, I'll take it."

"I don't think it is your money, Colonel Dodd. I have good reason to
feel sure that it is not. I have not seen your nephew since the day
of the convention, and then only at a distance. And this money--it was
borrowed a long time ago."

"Borrowed by whom--by you?"

"No, sir. I cannot tell you the circumstances. I simply want you to give
it back to him. I shall feel that I am released from my obligation."

"Look here, my dear young woman," said the colonel, with all his
masterful firmness, "there are going to be no more riddles here. You
must tell me the truth. I mus