The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-04-19
CHAPTER XIV.
Enemies Face to Face.

Enemies Face to Face.
AS events shaped themselves the
problem presented by DR.. Massey
found speedy solution. Had l been
compelled to grapple with it unaided
I am not yet sure what course I should
have pursued. or my own volition l
must have hesitated to take step
which could not fail to throw suspi-
cion-at least among the only par
TALLY informed-upon my absent and
defenseless friend. But all choice in
the matter was denied me-
| arranged with DIR. Massey that ne
should go unaccompanied to his pa
TENTS room, and, without SO much as
a hint that he was cognizant Of what
had transpired on the previous night.
make whatever examination he
deemed necessary to a definite conclu-
sion.
In the meantime. having learned
from Checkabeedy that Evelyn was in
the breakfast room, I joined her there
Her curiosity had ripened by nights
suppression: and having dismissed the
footman who was serving her, she at
once demanded the fulfillment of my
promise to tell her everything.
IT'S another case where you have
the right to say. I told you So l be-
gan, as / took chair next to her
In her wide blue eyes l read that
she OWNED my meaning.
YES" l went or, the man upstairs
is not your uncle. We have been
nursing viper, 1t seems. who prom
ises to give us a deal of trouble be-
fore we are through with him"
There was no need for her to ques-
ton me. Rapidly. succinctly l told
her the story / had learned from Yup
Sing, told her, too, of the scene in
the bedchamber, after I had left her
on the previous night; and showed
her the letter from McNish's poor old
Scotch mother.
There. there" soothed. as in ST.
lence but with quivering lips and eyes
overlooking. she started to read the
tremblingly penned sentences a sec
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" l repeated in
amazement
Yes. We can, can't we? We don't
have to give him up to those horrid
Cinnamon, do we? He's we'll enough
to 60 isn't he? Why can't we call a
cab. give him enough money for his
passage and send him. at once?
There's a steamer sailing this morn
ing, isn't there?"
For just a moment l was on the
point of yielding. Seldom has vii
lain had a more puissant advocate
than had McNish in this enthusiastic,
resolute girl, spurred to his salvation
by the pathetic appeal of that mater
nal yearnng which breathed from ev-
cry line of the letter before her. The
unselfish purity Of her cause illumined
and transfgured her Her beauty was
radiant
Answer me-" she insisted, impa-
tient at my silence. Isn't it possible? ?
Isn't 1t really the very best way out OF
a difficulty? 1t will never do to admit
that we have had that man here in
mistake for Uncle Robert, you know"
forgotten. my dear child" l objected,
with all the mildness l could bestow
upon the words. 'In your wish to give
Joy to this poor old mother-and in
that I am with you heart and soul
you have quite overlooked the fact
that We are still with scarcely scin-
tilla OF information concerning the
present whereabouts of your uncle"
"Oh. no, | haven't" was her PROMPT
retoinder but l don't see what that
has to do with 1t, except that it makes
it all rnc more necessary to pretend
that we still believe this McNish is
he How will sending McNish abroad
hinder" And then she broke of,
suddenly, as had rather expected she
would, knowing what keen brain she
had and how once she got clear per
spectivs on the situation. she must see
again the very point she had suggest
ed once herself. and which l had still
IN Wind
ITO BE coNTuNuEn9