o the pocket of her
silken robe--"I have lived a coward's life; I should have died a
coward's death."

"It is time to commence arranging your toilet, mademoiselle," said the
maid, approaching her softly with the white glimmering satin robe, and
fleecy veil over her arm. "My fingers are deft, but you have not one
moment to spare."

Pluma waved her off with an imperious gesture.

"Not yet," she said. "I suppose I might as well go down first as last
to see what in the world he wants with me; he should have come to me
if he had wished to see me so very particularly;" and the dutiful
daughter, throwing the train of her dress carelessly over her arm,
walked swiftly through the brilliantly lighted corridor toward Basil
Hurlhurst's study. She turned the knob and entered. The room was
apparently deserted. "Not here!" she muttered, with surprise. "Well,
my dear, capricious father, I shall go straight back to my apartments.
You shall come to me hereafter." As she turned to retrace her steps a
hand was laid upon her shoulder, and a woman's voice whispered close
to her ear:

"I was almost afraid I should miss you--fate is kind."

Pluma Hurlhurst recoiled from the touch, fairly holding her breath,
speechless with fury and astonishment.

"You insolent creature!" she cried. "I wonder at your boldness in
forcing your presence upon me. Did I not have you thrust from the
house an hour ago, with the full understanding I would not see you, no
matter who you were or whom you wanted."

"I was not at the door an hour ago," replied the woman, coolly; "it
must have been some one else. I have been here--to Whitestone
Hall--several times before, but you have always eluded me. You shall
not do so to-night. You shall listen to what I have come to say to
you."

For once in her life the haughty, willful heiress was completely taken
aback, and she sunk into the arm-chair so lately occupied by Basil
Hurlhurst.

"I shall ring for the servants, and have you thrown from the house;
such impudence is unheard of, you miserable creature!"

She made a movement toward the bell-rope, but the woman hastily thrust
her back into her seat, crossed over, turned the key in the lock, and
hastily removed it. Basil Hurlhurst and John Brooks were about to rush
to her assistance, but the detective suddenly thrust them back,
holding up his hand warningly.

"Not yet," he whispered; "we will wait until we know what this strange
affair means. I shall request you