nfound him!--for a
smoking chimney. Oh, yes, I know Constable Wiseman."

Apparently the thought of Constable Wiseman filled his mind through two
courses, for he did not speak until he set his fish knife and fork
together and muttered something about a "silly, meddling jackass!"

He was very silent throughout the meal, his mind being divided between
two subjects. Uppermost, though of least importance, was the personality
of Saul Arthur Mann. Him he mentally viewed with suspicion and
apprehension. It was an irritation even to suggest that there might be
secret places in his own life which could be flooded with the light of
this man's knowledge, and he resolved to beard "The Man Who Knows" in
his den that afternoon and challenge him by inference to produce all the
information he had concerning his past.

There was much which was public property. It was John Minute's boast
that his life was a book which might be read, but in his inmost heart he
knew of one dark place which baffled the outside world. He brought
himself from the mental rehearsal of his interview to what was, after
all, the first and more important business.

"May," he said suddenly, "have you thought any more about what I asked
you?"

She made no attempt to fence with the question.

"You mean Jasper Cole?"

He nodded, and for the moment she made no reply, and sat with eyes
downcast, tracing a little figure upon the tablecloth with her finger
tip.

"The truth is, uncle," she said at last, "I am not keen on marriage at
all just yet, and you are sufficiently acquainted with human nature to
know that anything which savors of coercion will not make me predisposed
toward Mr. Cole."

"I suppose the real truth is," he said gruffly, "that you are in love
with Frank?"

She laughed.

"That is just what the real truth is not," she said. "I like Frank very
much. He is a dear, bright, sunny boy."

Mr. Minute grunted.

"Oh, yes, he is!" the girl went on. "But I am not in love with
him--really."

"I suppose you are not influenced by the fact that he is my--heir," he
said, and eyed her keenly.

She met his glance steadily.

"If you were not the nicest man I know," she smiled, "I should be very
offended. Of course, I don't care whether Frank is rich or poor. You
have provided too well for me for mercenary considerations to weigh at
all with me."

John Minute grunted again.

"I am quite serious about Jasper."

"Why are you so keen on Jasper?" she ask