hat's it then," he said, after a moment. "You and I are to
determine which is the better lawyer?"

"So it would seem. Though, considering my record and experience, I don't
know that--"

"That such a test is necessary? I don't know that it is, either. But
we'll have it."

He walked from the room and they heard him ascending the stairs. Captain
Obed swore aloud. Heman Daniels laughed.

CHAPTER XI

The next morning the captain was an early caller. Breakfast at the
High Cliff House was scarcely over when he knocked at the kitchen door.
Imogene opened the door.

"Mr. Kendrick ain't here," she said, in answer to the caller's question.
"He's gone."

"Gone? So early? Where's he gone; down to his office?"

"I don't know. He's gone, that's all I do know. He didn't stop for any
breakfast either."

"Humph! That's funny. Where's Mrs. Thankful?"

"She's up in Miss Emily's room. Miss Emily didn't come down to breakfast
neither. I'll tell Mrs. Barnes you're here."

When Thankful came she looked grave enough.

"I'm awful glad to see you, Cap'n," she said. "I've been wantin' to talk
to some sane person; the one I've been talkin' to ain't sane, not now.
Come into the dinin'-room. Imogene, you needn't finish clearin' away
till I tell you to. You stay in the kitchen here."

When she and Captain Obed were in the dining-room alone, and with both
doors closed, Thankful told of the morning's happenings.

"They're bad enough, too," she declared. "Almost as bad as that silly
business last night--or worse, if such a thing's possible. To begin
with, Mr. John Kendrick's gone."

"Yes, Imogene said he'd gone. But what made him go so early?"

"You don't understand, Cap'n. I mean he's gone--gone for good. He isn't
goin' to board or room here any more."

Captain Obed whistled. "Whew!" he exclaimed. "You don't mean it?"

"I wish I didn't, but I do. I didn't see him this mornin', he went too
early for that, but he took his suitcase and his trunk is all packed and
locked. He left a note for me with a check for his room rent and board
in it. The note said that under the circumstances he presumed I would
agree 'twas best for him to go somewheres else at once. He thanked me
for my kindness, and said some real nice things--but he's gone."

"Tut! tut! Dear, dear! Where's he gone to? Did he say?"

"No, I've told you all he said. I suppose likely I ought to have
expected it, and perhaps, if he is goin' to work for that cousin of hi