they sometimes were all wrong? She wished Malcolm was with
her then; she needed him.

She heard the clang of the elevator door. Then the bell rang furiously.
She heard Edwards hasten to answer it. Then, to her amazement, she heard
her brother's voice.

"Caroline!" demanded Stephen. "Caroline! Where are you?"

He burst into the room, still wearing his coat and hat, and carrying a
traveling bag in his hand.

"Why, Steve!" she said, going toward him. "Why, Steve! what--"

He was very much excited.

"Oh!" he exclaimed, "you're all right then! You are all right, aren't
you?"

"All right? Why shouldn't I be all right? What do you mean? And why are
you here?"

He returned her look of surprise with one of great astonishment.

"Why am I here?" he repeated.

"Yes. Why did you come from New Haven?"

"Why, because I got the telegram, of course! You expected me to come,
didn't you?"

"_I_ expected you? Telegram? What telegram?"

"Why, the--Good Lord, Caro! what are you talking about? Didn't you know
they telegraphed me to come home at once? I've pretty nearly broke my
neck, and the taxicab man's, getting here from the station. I thought
you must be very ill, or something worse."

"They telegraphed you to come here? Who.... Edwards, you may take Mr.
Warren's things to his room."

"But, Sis--"

"Just a moment, Steve. Give Edwards your coat and hat. Yes, and your
bag. That will be all, Edwards. We sha'n't need you."

When they were alone, she turned again to her brother.

"Now, Steve," she said, "sit down and tell me what you mean. Who
telegraphed you?"

"Why, old Sylvester, father's lawyer. I've got the message here
somewhere. No, never mind! I've lost it, I guess. He wired me to come
home as early as possible this morning. Said it was very important. And
you didn't know anything about it?"

"No, not a thing. What can it mean?"

"_I_ don't know! That's the bell, isn't it? Edwards!"

But the butler was already on his way to the door. A moment later he
returned.

"Mr. Sylvester," he announced.

* * * * *

Captain Elisha scarcely left his room, except for meals, during the
remainder of that day and for two days thereafter. He was unusually
silent at table and avoided conversation even with Pearson, who was
depressed and gloomy and made no attempt to force his society upon
his friend. Once, passing the door of the latter's room, he heard the
captain pacing back and forth as