The Spectator., 1914-12-11

know about Hill?
 Have you known MT. Hill long?" she asked q see that 1t is his studio that you have taken"
 "No," said he; T have seen him only once. But feel great friendship for him." he added in significant tone.
 She changed the subject hastily How could this stranger have learned of her former attachment? And yet his tone implied that he had All at once the idea for which she was searching flashed into her mind.
 'I hope you will not think what am about to say, too strange" she began "or consider me very presumptuous in assuming that you are already suffi- ciently my friend to permit my making such 8 request of you; but remember that I owe you a rescue and that we have come together instantly on the same plane without any of the usual preamble. Perhaps indebtedness al- ready incurred is scarcely a ground for claiming further help; but you will understand-ah, you must. for am in great distress and trouble. and there is no one to whom I can go with my difficulty"
 Pedro, who had been examining a vase, turned to her with surprise. Ever ready with sympathy. he put out his hand with a single expressive gesture.
 "Madonna!" he exclaimed. you know would willingly serve you. If 1t is in my power to help, surely you must know that I would not hesitate"
 Very we'll. then" she said gravely Tt is this: My father is a strong man. a brave man. I am cure. and one who is not easily daunted or disturbed. You noticed how he acted today? Why. he was scarcely civil to you Such rudeness, believe me, Is far from his customary habit. and there is only one explanation for it. He must be deeply troubled about something. and for 1t to disturb him so, that thing is a very serious matter; otherwise he would throw 1t off, or. at worst, conceal 1t"
 Have you no idea of what this trouble is?" he asked.
 T have tried to get him to tell me-" she replied. but it has been useless effort. My father and I are close friends, but he persists in saying there is nothing wrong. which simply means that something is very wrong indeed; so much so that he Is unwilling to tell me-"
 T am sorry." said Pedro. but how can I help"
 "The case Is just this!" she cried, rising In her excitement; q have good reason to believe that he is be- ing either defrauded by a pack of scoundrels who have managed to de- ceive him into some questionable un- dertaking, or that he is being black mailed. Could you-oh, do you think that you could in any way find out if he is being deceived, imposed upon. and help him. or at least set my dis turbed mind at rest?"
 Tt Is a curious request" said Pedro slowly. 'I to help your father! Why. he Is a great mana wonderfully suc- cessful person. Surely you cannot really believe I could serve him."
 You do not yet understand" she urged. He Is strong and capable, but he is almost ridiculously sensitive on lines which touch his honor. and is quite susceptible to being worked and tormented by interruptions people. And l have some real proof that this is happening. although cannot actual ly show it to you at this moment. Do you remember my saying that 1 car ried papers of value the day you res cued me with your bear? We'll. the sight of them excited my father great ly, and ever since. he has been receiv- ing letters which have nothing to do with his regular business or his social correspondence. l know it for a fact, because I stumbled upon them acci. dentally, in secret drawer of his desk. They are in foreign language Spanish. think-and he keeps them all with great secrecy. Oh, am sure he is being harried by some mysteri- ous people. Why. that note he received at luncheon was directed in that same fine foreign handwriting in which the others are written. Nov won't you help me? Don't you see that it is an exQuisitely delicate matter with which cannot go to every one?"
 Have you no relations whom this would concern?" he asked
 'No," said she, we have only some distant cousins whom We seldom see and who would not do at all"
 Then" said Pedro, q will help you. It is a position of questionable honor, almost. which you require for this spying and cannot go about 1t delib- erately. Yet, if you sometime can give me definite task in the matter, I will make sure to perform it.: or should chance throw me any information, shall not fail to use 1t and follow it up, and shall be on the watchout for any such. Still. it is not likely that such thing will cross my path"
 Thank you!" she exclaimed in real