"I wouldn't, if I were you," said Goward, with a frown. "She needn't be
involved in the affair any more than she already is. She is not in the
least to blame."

"Nevertheless," said I, "she may be able to help us to an easy way
out--"

"She can't," said Goward, positively.

"Excuse me, Mr. Goward," said I, chilling a trifle in my newly acquired
friendliness, "but is there any real reason why I should not question
Miss Talbert--"

"Oh no, none at all," he hastened to reply. "Only I--I see no particular
object in vexing her further in a matter that must have already annoyed
her sufficiently. It is very good of you to take all this trouble on
my account, and I don't wish you to add further to your difficulties,
either," he added.

I appreciated his consideration, with certain reservations. However, the
latter were not of such character as to make me doubt the advisability
of standing his friend, and when we parted a few minutes later I left
him with the intention of becoming his advocate with Peggy and her
mother, and at the same time of having it out with Aunt Elizabeth.

I was detained at my office by other matters, which our family troubles
had caused me to neglect, until supper-time, and then I returned to my
own home, expecting to have a little chat over the affair with Maria
before acquainting the rest of the family with my impressions of Goward
and his responsibility for our woe. Maria is always so full of good
ideas, but at half-past six she had not come in, and at six-forty-five
she 'phoned me that she was at her father's and would I not better go
there for tea. In the Talbert family a suggestion of that sort is the
equivalent of a royal command in Great Britain, and I at once proceeded
to accept it. As I was leaving the house, however, the thought flashed
across my mind that in my sympathy for Harry Goward I had neglected
to ask him the question I had sought him out to ask, "To whom was the
letter addressed?" So I returned to the 'phone, and ringing up the Eagle
Hotel, inquired for Mr. Goward.

"Mr. Goward!" came the answer.

"Yes," said I. "Mr. Henry Goward."

"Mr. Goward left for New York on the 5.40 train this afternoon," was the
reply.

The answer, so unexpected and unsettling to all my plans, stunned me
first and then angered me.

"Bah!" I cried, impatiently. "The little fool! An attack of cold feet, I
guess--he ought to spell his name with a C."

I hung up the receiver with a cold chill,