ands fairly trembled as she tore the envelope across.

"Take it calmly," said Garrison. "Don't be hurried."

She could make no reply. She drew the will from its sheath and,
spreading it open, glanced through it rapidly.

"Dear Uncle John!" she presently said, in a voice that all but broke.
"He has willed it all to me, with no conditions--all except a nice
little sum for Foster--poor Foster, I'm so glad!"

She broke down and cried.

Garrison said nothing. He went to the window and let her cry it out.

She was drying her eyes, in an effort to regain her self-control, when
someone knocked and immediately opened the door.

Garrison turned. Dorothy had risen quickly to her feet.

It was Theodore who stood in the doorway. He had come before
Garrison's note could be delivered.

"Come in," said Garrison. "You're just the man I wish to see."

CHAPTER XXXVI

GARRISON'S VALUED FRIEND

Dorothy, catching up the precious will, had retreated from Theodore's
advance. She made no effort to greet him, even with so much as a nod.

"I thought I might possibly find you both, and save a little time,"
said Robinson, striding in boldly, with no sign of removing his hat.
"Seems I hit it off about right."

"Charmingly," said Garrison. "Won't you sit down and take off your hat
and stay a while?"

"You sound cheerful," said Theodore, drawing forth a chair and seating
himself in comfort. "Perhaps you realize the game is up at last."

"Yes," agreed Garrison. "I think we do--but it's good of you to come
and accept our notice, I'm sure."

"I didn't come to accept notice--I came to give it," said young
Robinson self-confidently. "I've recently returned from Rockbeach,
where I went to investigate your so-called marriage."

He had seen or heard nothing of Fairfax; that was obvious.

"Well?" said Garrison. "Proceed."

"That's about enough, ain't it?" said Theodore. "The marriage having
been a fraud, what's the use of beating around the bush? If you care
to fix it up on decent terms, I'll make no attempt to break the will
when it comes up for probate, but otherwise I'll smash your case to
splinters."

"You've put it quite clearly," said Garrison. "You are offering to
compromise. Very generous. Let me have the floor for half a minute.
I've had your man Tuttle on your trail, when you thought you had him on
mine, for some little time.

"I happen to know that you stole two necklaces in the keeping of Mrs.
Fair