The Forrest City times., 1913-06-20
CHAPTER XIV.
Enemies Face to Face.


 problem presented by Dr Massey found a speedy solution Had I been ] compelled 10 grapple with it unaided l am not yet sure what course I should 1 have pursued Of my ovn yolition must have hesitated to take step which could not fail to throw suspi- cion-at least among the only par tially informed-upon my absent and defenseless friend But all choice in the matter was denied me.
 arranged with pr. Massey that he i should go unaccompanied to his pa tient's room. and. without so much as hint that he was cognizant ot what had transpired on the previous aight. make whatever examination he ! deemed necessary to definite concln sion
 l In the meantime. having learned | from Checkabeedy that Evelyn was Tn the breakfast room. I joined her there Her curiosity had ripened by nights 1 suppression; and having dismissed Inc footman who was serving her. she at once demanded the fulfillment of my 1 promise to tell her everything 1 It's another case where you have ] the right to say. I told you so." be- 1 gan, as I took a chair next to her ] In her wide blue eyes I read tna, she divined my meaning
 Yes. l went or, the man upstairs | is not your uncle, We have been nursing a viper, 1t seems. who prem. | ises to give us a deal of trouble be- l fore we are through with him" i There was no need for he- 10 uues ton me. Rapidly, succinctly told i her the story I had learned frun Yup Sing; told her, too. of the sce@s in the bedchamber, after I had left her on the previous night; and show ed her the letter from McNish's roor Cld Scotch mother
 There, there" I soothed. as in sL lence but with quivering lips and eyes overflowing, she started to read tho tremblingly penned sentences a se->- ond time. I'm sorry for the dear old creature. too. but"
 Philip" she interrupted me. her face and voice alike pleading Let us send him back to her."
 Send him back" I repeated in amazement
 Yes. We can, can't we' We don't have to give him up to those horris ! Chinamen, do we? He's well enough to go isn't he? Why can't We call q cab, give him enough money for his passage and send him. at oncei There's steamer sailing this morn ing, isn't there?"
 For just a moment I was on the point of yielding. Seldom has vil- lain had more puissant advocate than had McNish In this enthusiastic. resolute girl, spurred to his salvation by the pathetic appeal of that mater nal yearning which breathed from ev. cry line of the letter before her The unselfish purity of her cause illumined and transfigured her Her beauty wss radiant
 Answer mel" she insisted. impa. uent at my silence. Isn't 1t possible Isn't 1t really the very best way out of a difficulty? It will never do to admit thot we nave Hdu that man Der0 10 mistake for Uncle Robert, you know. N
 But there is something you have forgotten, my dear child" objected with all the mildness l could bestow upon the words. "In your wish to give Joy 10 this poor old mother-and in that l am with you heart and soul you have quite overlooked the fac, that ve are still with scarcely scin. ,illa Of information concerning the present whereabouts of your uncle" "oh. no. haven't" was her prompt rejoinder. but don't see what that has 10 do with 1t. except that 1t makes it all thc more necessary to pretend that We still believe this McNish is he How will sending McNlsh abroad hinder" And then she broke ofY. suddenly. as l had rather expected she would. knowing what a keen brain she had and how once she got clear per spective on the situation. she must ses again the very point she had suggest ed once herself. and which 1 had sttr in mind
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