be opened until we had proof that he
was dead or until the six months mentioned had expired. If he turned up
it would, of course, be handed back to him. He made me promise solemnly
that I would not offer the least hint as to its provisions to anybody."

Mrs. Hastings indulged in a shrug indicating resignation. "In that case
I suppose I must be content, but he might have made an exception of--me.
Anyway, I think I see how we can put what appears to be a little
necessary pressure upon Gregory." She turned again to her husband rather
abruptly. "After all, is it worth while for me to trouble about the
thing?"

Hastings was taken off his guard. "Yes," he said decidedly, "if you can
put any pressure on Gregory I guess it would be very desirable to do it
as soon as possible."

"Then you think that Harry may turn up, after all?"

"I do," said Hastings gravely, "I don't know why. In any case it's
highly desirable that Gregory shouldn't fling his property away."

Mrs. Hastings smiled. "Well," she said, "I'll think over it. I'll
probably get Agatha to see what she can do in the first place."

She saw a trace of uncertainty in her husband's face.

"As you like," he said. "Something must be done, but on the whole I'd
rather you didn't trouble Agatha about the matter. It would be wiser."

Mrs. Hastings asked no more questions. She believed that she understood
the situation, and she had Agatha's interests at heart, for she had
grown very fond of the girl. There was certainly one slight difficulty
in the way of what she meant to do, but she determined to disregard it,
though she admitted that it might, cause Agatha some embarrassment
afterward. When she found the girl alone, she sat down beside her.

"My dear," she said, "I wonder if I may ask whether you are quite
convinced that Harry is dead?"

She felt that the question was necessary, though it seemed rather a
cruel one.

"No," replied Agatha calmly, "I can't quite bring myself to believe it."

"Then, since you heard what Sproatly said, you would be willing to do
anything that appeared possible to prevent Gregory throwing Harry's
money away?"

"Yes," said Agatha, "I have been thinking about it." A sparkle of
disdainful anger showed in her eyes. "Gregory seems to have been acting
shamefully."

"Then as he won't listen to Allen, we must get Sally to impress that
fact on him."

"Sally?" questioned Agatha in evident astonishment.

Mrs. Hastings smiled. "I don't thin