been troubled about it for
days. He has been saying that he must go to New York. But the doctor had
warned us against his going and so we persuaded him to wait. And now . . .
sit down, please. I want to ask your advice."

I took the chair she indicated. She drew another beside me and seated
herself.

"Mr. Paine--" she began. Then, noticing my expression, she asked, "What
is it?"

"Nothing," I answered, "nothing except--Isn't that the telegraph
instrument I hear? Isn't someone calling you?"

"Yes, yes, it is Mr. Davis, Father's confidential man, his broker, in
New York. He is trying to get us, I am sure. He telephoned an hour ago.
I got a part of his message and then the connection was broken off.
Central says there is something the matter with the wire, a big storm in
Connecticut somewhere. It may take a whole day to repair it. And it is
SO important! It may mean--I don't know WHAT it may mean! Oh, Mr. Paine,
DO you know anything about stocks?"

I looked at her blankly.

"Stocks?" I repeated.

"Yes, yes," a trifle impatiently. "Stocks--the stock market--railroad
shares--how they are bought and sold--do you know anything about them?"

I was more puzzled than ever, but I answered as best I could.

"A very little," I replied. "I used to know a good deal about them once,
and, of late, since I have been in the Denboro bank, my knowledge has
been brushed up a bit. But I am afraid it is pretty fragmentary."

"Do you know anything about Louisville and Transcontinental?"

I started. Louisville and Transcontinental was the one stock about which
I did know something. Of late I had read everything the papers printed
concerning it. It was the stock in which George Taylor had risked
so much and which had come so near to ruining him. No wonder I was
startled. Why did she mention that particular stock?

"What?" I stammered.

"Louisville and Transcontinental," she repeated, eagerly. "DO you know
anything about it? Why do you look at me like that?"

I must be careful. It was not possible that she could have learned
George's secret. No one knew that except George himself, and his
brokers, and I. Yet--yet why did she ask that question? I must be on my
guard.

"I did not realize that I was looking at you in any extraordinary way,
Miss Colton," I answered.

"But you were. Why? Do you know anything about it? If you do--oh, if you
do you may be able to help me, to advise me! And, for Father's sake, I
want advice so much."