k
to innocent parties from Paul's crazed fancies and murderous tendencies
is serious, while any possible disclosures are uncertain. There is
danger that Paul's passionate tempers may involve him in some
altercation. Such might result in his death.

Then Oswald Langdon's vindication would be remotely doubtful, and
Esther's hopes--there always is a break at this point in Sir Donald's
musings.

To either follow or abandon present tactics is dangerous. It weighs upon
Sir Donald's troubled consciousness that on his chosen line of action
hangs Esther's hopes, with this contingent menace.

An unexpected incident checks Esther's growing pensiveness.

Sir Donald has become more worried. It seems impossible to divert his
daughter's mind from the sorrowful infatuation.

Revolving in his troubled thoughts ways to relieve these despondent
moods, Sir Donald is returning from a trip to the station. There seems
no alternative but to await the uncertain issues of Lanier exposures.
His horse shies at a moving bush by the roadside. A scared face peers
through the foliage. With impulsive kindness he stops and speaks
assuringly to this juvenile spy.

Losing her fright, the little girl takes a few steps toward the smiling
horseman, then stands shyly mute, awaiting more persuasive speech.

Interested and charmed, Sir Donald dismounts, and fondling the
straggling curls, inquires about the little one's name, home, and age.

These are given with innocent candor, but Sir Donald is not familiar
with "Just-Bessie-That's-All," or "Granny." Having quite thorough
knowledge of places within several miles of Northfield, he never has
heard about the "lane up by the meadow, down by the woods."

The little stranger has no apparent idea of what "Papa" or "Mamma"
signifies. Personal acquaintance seems limited to "Granny" and
"Naughty-Dick-Pulls-Bessie's-Hair."

"Five years old next summer" is quite definite. To the question, "How
did my little Bessie get here?" she looks scared, and replies, "Bessie
hanged on!"

Concluding that this four-year-old had clung to the rear of some
passing vehicle, and then dropped off, without the driver's knowledge,
Sir Donald will take her to his home and make proper inquiry for
"Granny."

Placing the hatless, barefooted tot before him on the spirited horse, he
is soon at the Northfield mansion.

The child eats ravenously. It is evident some considerable time elapsed
between that unbidden ride and queer "find."