lmost shouted.

He looked thoroughly startled now.

"Hasn't he been here?"

"He was only in the house for an hour. That was the day before
yesterday. He didn't let me know he was here--he didn't let his sister
know--nobody knew but Jean!"

"Where was he staying?"

"At an hotel."

"An hotel!" exclaimed Andrew in horror. "Going to all that expense, with
his house standing waiting for him? That beats everything I've heard
yet! Is he there still?"

"No, no, he's not!" she cried, almost sobbing. "He's gone back to
London."

"Gone back to London!"

"And Jean's gone with him!"

"Jean! Has he not got enough bills to pay at that infernal millionaire's
hotel without hers?"

"I don't know," wailed the lady. "I don't understand him. I thought he
cared for me--and he didn't even let me know he was here!"

In spite of his anger with his erring parent, he was sufficiently master
of his emotions to feel a lively concern at all this speech suggested.

"I must get my breakfast," he observed icily, and was starting for the
dining-room.

She collected herself instantly.

"Andrew!" she said, "you've got to go after him."

He stared at her, first in extreme surprise, then with an exceedingly
sophisticated smile.

"Thank you, I've got my business to attend to."

"You can go to the office first. There's a train about two."

"I'll not be on it," he replied.

"Some one's _got_ to go and fetch him back."

"It won't be me."

She looked at him for a moment with an expression which did not interest
him. He neither professed to understand women nor to think it worth
while trying.

"Very well," she answered.

They went in to breakfast, but throughout the meal she never referred to
Heriot again. Andrew flattered himself he had choked her off _that_
subject.

CHAPTER X

While Andrew was still patiently waiting in London, a south-bound
express swung down the long slope from Shap; past Oxenholme, past
Milnthorpe, past Carnforth, out into the green levels of Lancashire. In
one corner of a first-class carriage sat Jean Walkingshaw, her eyes
smiling approval at that very paper which was to disturb her brother's
serenity a few hours later. Her father sat opposite watching her.

"Well, what do you think of it?" he inquired.

"I think it's most amusing and--and--"

"Spirited?"

"Oh, very spirited!" she laughed. "In fact, I think it's a splendid
speech."

He seemed gratified.

"Some fellows didn't seem to ca