you must be, how much I am asking, but you have
undertaken to follow up that brunette and find out the reason for her
interest in me, and surely this is far, far more important--a man's
life, the happiness of a family, my friend's happiness at stake,
perhaps; for I am sure that no common cause, nothing but danger,
illness, or death, could keep Gerald Trent from communicating with his
parents and his promised wife. Drop the brunette and all connected
with her, Mr. Masters, and give such time as you would have given to
my affairs, and more if possible, to this search, I beg of you. At
least, promise me that you will conduct the search, and employ as many
helpers as you need. I'll give you carte-blanche. Deal with me as you
would with a man, and if I can aid in any other way than with my
purse, let me do it.'

As she paused, with her eyes eagerly fixed upon my face, the sweet
Quakeress leaned toward me, and put out her white slender hand in
earnest appeal.

'"Thy brother's keeper;" remember that a deed of mercy is beyond and
above all works of vengeance. What is the capture of a criminal, of
many of them, compared to the rescue, the saving, perchance, of an
honest man's life? I beg of thee, consent, help us!'

There may be men who could have resisted that appeal. I could not, and
did not. I did not throw my other responsibilities to the winds; I
simply did not think of them at the moment, when I took the soft hand
of the elder woman in my own, and, looking across at the younger,
said:

'I will do my best, Miss Jenrys, and, that not one moment may be lost,
tell me, can you describe young Trent?'

'Not very well, I fear.'

'And his picture? Your friend must have that?'

'Of course,' half smiling.

'Telegraph her to forward it to you at once. And has your friend at
any time mentioned the hotel where young Trent would stop? Most of our
Eastern visitors have a favourite stopping-place.'

'I know.' She had made a movement toward her desk, but paused and
turned toward me. 'I think it is safe to say that the two families
would share the same house. They did in visiting the summer resorts,
always; and I know where Mr. O'Neil and Mr. Trent went when they
attended the great convention in this city.' She named the place, and
I promptly arose.

'I will go there at once; but you may as well give me the Trents'
address, and permit me the use of your name. If I am wrong I will
telegraph from up-town for the name of his hote