imagine that there could be anything in common
between these wealthy Garners and that poor fellow who worked hard at
his trade. Still he hated the name.

When he reached the mansion and was ushered into the corridor, to his
intense surprise, the first person whom he met face to face was Jack
Garner! He recognized Jack at once; but the light in the corridor was
low, and, besides, he had turned up his coat-collar, and with the heavy
beard he had grown, Garner, as it was not to be wondered at, did not
know him. Besides, Jack had seen him but twice--once as he was putting
Dorothy into a coach, and again on the Staten Island boat, in the dim,
uncertain moonlight.

"Your patient is this way, doctor," he said, motioning him up the broad
stairway.

A sudden, strange thought came to Kendal: What if he should find Dorothy
there?

He no sooner entered the room and uttered the first word than the slim
figure in black, wearing the blue glasses, started violently. Dorothy
recognized him at once, despite the heavy beard.

"How in the world came he here?" she gasped to herself, in the greatest
amazement.

But she had no opportunity to think long over the matter, for Jessie
required the most immediate attention.

"I think it will be best to send you a practical nurse," he said, as he
took his departure.

He spoke to Doctor Crandall about it immediately upon his return to the
office.

"There is only one young woman whom I can think of just at present,"
said the doctor. "She is not what you might call a trained nurse, but
she claims to have had a little experience. We shall have to secure her
in a case of emergency. I shall send for her to-night; she will probably
be there in the morning when you arrive."

As Kendal ascended the steps of the palatial home of the Garners, he
came face to face with a woman who was standing in the vestibule, just
in the act of touching the bell. One glance, and he fairly reeled back.

"Nadine Holt!" he cried, aghast, "is it you--_you_?"

"We meet again at last!" hissed the girl, confronting him with
death-white face. "I knew I should find you sooner or later, and I have
been on your track."

"Hush! hush! Nadine," he cried; "what do you mean? In Heaven's name,
don't speak so loud! Every one is listening. You will ruin me."

"That is what I intend to do!" she shrieked, clutching frantically at
his arm with her long, thin fingers. "You deserted me and wedded
another."

"What put such a noti