ts of the past weeks should
come to bring congratulations and mutual felicitations for the recovery
of the patient.

Patricia was arranging the guest list, in collaboration with Mr.
Maitland and the assistance of Annette and Victor.

"We will have our boys, of course," she began.

"Old and young, I hope?" suggested Mr. Maitland.

"Of course!" she cried. "Although I don't know any old ones. That will
mean all the fathers and Vic, Jack, Hugh and Rupert, and Malcolm--"

"Ah! It has come to Malcolm, then?" murmured Vic. "Certainly, why not?
He loves me to call him Malcolm. And then we will have Mr. Matheson. And
we must have Mr. McGinnis--they have become such great friends. And I
should like to have the Mayor, he is so funny. But perhaps he wouldn't
fit. He DOES take up a lot of attention."

"Cut him out!" said Victor with decision.

"And for ladies," continued Patricia, "just the relatives--all the
mothers and the sisters. That's enough."

"How lovely!" murmured Vic.

"Oh, if you want any other ladies, Vic," said Patricia severely, "we
shall be delighted to invite them for you."

"Me? Other ladies? What could I do with other ladies? Is not my young
life one long problem as it is? Ah! Speaking of problems, that reminds
me. I have a communication to make to you young lady." Vic's manner
suggested a profound and deadly mystery. He led Patricia away from the
others. "I have something to tell you, Patricia," he said, abandoning
all badinage. "I hate to do it but it is right for you, for myself, for
Adrien, and by Jove for poor old Jack, too. Though, perhaps--well, let
that go."

"Oh, Vic!" cried Patricia. "It is about the note!"

"Yes, Patricia. That note was given by Jack to Sam Wigglesworth, who
gave it to Rupert Stillwell."

"And he forgot?" gasped Patricia.

"Ah--ah--at least, he didn't deliver it. No, Patricia, we are telling
the whole truth. He didn't forget. You remember he asked about Jack.
There, I have given you all I know. Make of it what you like."

"Shall I tell Adrien?" asked Patricia.

"I think certainly Adrien ought to know."

"Then I'll tell her to-night," said Patricia. "I want it all over before
our fete, which is day after to-morrow."

Rupert Stillwell had been in almost daily attendance upon Adrien during
the past two weeks, calling for her almost every afternoon with his car.
The day following he came for her according to his custom. Upon Adrien's
face there dwelt a gentle, tender,