. But I warn you
that I'll endure no more of this sort of thing, in your efforts to
throw discredit on Dorothy's relationship with me! Now then, kindly
leave the room."

Aware that Garrison held the upper hand, old Robinson was more than
chagrined; he was furious. His rage, however, was impotent; there was
no immediate remedy at hand. Theodore, equally baffled, returned to
his attitude of friendliness.

"No harm's been done, and none was intended," he said. "There's
nothing in family rows, anyhow. Father, come along."

His father, on the point of discharging another broadside of anger,
altered his mind and followed his son to a room at the rear of the
house.

Garrison closed the door.

Dorothy was looking at him almost wildly.

"What does it mean?" she asked in a tone barely above a whisper. "They
haven't really found out anything?"

"They suspect the truth, I'm afraid," he answered. "I shall be obliged
to ask you a number of questions."

Her face became quite ashen.

"I can see that your employment has become very trying," she said, "but
I trust you are not contemplating retreat."

The thought made her pale, for her heart, too, had found itself
potently involved.

"No; I have gone too far for that," he answered, making an effort to
fight down the dictates of his increasing love and keep his head
thoroughly clear.

"In the first place, when you wire me in the future use another name,
for safety--say Jeraldine. In the next place, I am very much hampered
by the blindness of my mission. I can see, I think, that the Robinsons
expected some legacy which you are now apparently about to inherit, and
your marriage became necessary to fulfill some condition of the will.
Is this correct?"

"Yes, quite correct." She remained very pale.

"Who was it that died, leaving the will? And when did he die?"

"Another uncle, Mr. John Hardy--quite recently," she answered.

"You are not in mourning."

"By his special request. He died very suddenly. He left a condition
in his will that I should inherit his fortune provided I should have
been married at least one month prior to his death to a healthy,
respectable man--who was not to be my cousin."

"Theodore?"

She nodded. "You can see I had to have a husband."

"Exactly."

Garrison thought he saw a light that cleared her as he could have
wished. He hastened to a question bearing directly upon it.

"Did the Robinsons know of this clause in your Unc