race Desmond, the despoiled
heiress, who, as events proved, was left without a dollar of her own,
came to Dunhaven to live with friends until she could plan what she was
to do to earn her living.

The three boys were walking, in uniform, with Mr. Farnum when that
gentleman suddenly asked them, in low tones:

"Do you see that young lady in white, walking with the two old people,
coming toward us?"

"Yes," Jack answered.

"That's Miss Desmond. I feel like going into a rage every time I see
that poor girl. She was heiress to eight hundred thousand dollars. The
lawyers believe that Arthur Miller carried off than half a million in
cash belonging to Miss Desmond. And we helped start him on his journey.
Confound the rascal!"

Grace Desmond was a beautiful girl, above medium height, slender and
dark. The simple white gown that she wore displayed her beauty at its
best. Despite her fearful loss, when the boys first caught sight of
her, she was smiling cheerily as she chatted with her elderly friends.

Mr. Farnum and his young friends came to a street corner just before
they encountered Miss Desmond and her companions. The builder would
have turned down the side street, but Miss Desmond called to him. So
he was obliged to lift his hat and stand waiting until the girl reached
him.

"I want just a word with you, Mr. Farnum," began Miss Desmond. "It has
come to me that you are very much upset over having helped my uncle to
escape. I want to tell you how foolish it is for you to be unhappy
about it. You weren't in the least to blame. You did what any other
good-natured man would have done under the circumstances. The only
ones who can be blamed for any part in the affair are the two men from
whom I had a right to expect the most considerate treatment. But as
for you, Mr. Farnum, I beg that you will give my misfortune no further
thought."

"That would be impossible," protested the builder.

"At least, never allow a thought of self-blame to creep in again.
Please don't," she added, appealingly. Then, as though to change the
subject abruptly, she inquired:

"Are these the young men who handle the 'Pollard?' Present them to
me, please."

The boys were introduced, also, to Mr. and Mrs. Scott, the elderly
couple.

"Some time, Mr. Farnum, if it could be arranged, I wish very much that
you would invite us to take a short trip aboard the submarine boat.
It will be the only chance of the kind we'll ever have."