"Why do you think so?" Darrell queried, in surprise.

"Because he was all right when he went away yesterday morning, but when

he came home at noon he was different from what I had ever seen him

before. He had just that worried look he has now, and he seemed

absent-minded. He was in a great hurry to get back, and the head

book-keeper tells me he called for the books to be brought into his

private office, and that he spent most of the afternoon going through

them. He says that about four o'clock he went through the office, and

David was sitting before his desk with his head on his hands, and he

didn't speak or look up. A little while afterwards they heard the sound

of something heavy falling and ran to his room, and he had fallen on the

floor."

"It does look," Darrell admitted, thoughtfully, "as though this may have

been caused by the discovery of some wrong condition of affairs."

"Yes, and it must be pretty serious," Mrs. Dean rejoined, "to bring

about such results as these."

"Well," said Darrell, "we may not be able to arrive at the cause of this

for some time. The first thing to be done is to see that you take a good

rest; don't have any anxiety; I will look after everything. As soon as

it is daylight it would be well to telegraph for Mr. Britton if you know

his address, and possibly for Miss Underwood unless he should seem

decidedly better."

But Mrs. Dean did not know Mr. Britton's address, no word having been

received from him since his departure, and with the return of daylight

Mr. Underwood had gained so perceptibly it was thought best not to alarm

Kate unnecessarily.

For the first few days the improvement in Mr. Underwood's condition was

slow, but gradually became quite pronounced. Nothing had been heard from

Walcott since his sudden leave-taking, but about a week after Mr.

Underwood's seizure word was received from him that he was on his way

home. As an excuse for his prolonged absence and silence he stated that

his father had died and that he had been delayed in the adjustment of

business matters.

It was noticeable that after receiving word from Walcott the look of

anxiety in Mr. Underwood's face deepened, but his improvement was more

marked than ever. It seemed as though the powerful brain and

indomitable will dominated the body, forcing it to resume its former

activity. By this time he was able to move about his room on crutches,

and on the day of Walcott's return he insisted upon being placed in his

carriage and taken to the office. At his request Darrell accompanied him

and remained with him.

Walcott, upon his arrival in the city, had heard of the illness of his

senior partner, and was therefore greatly surprised on entering the

offices to find him there. He quickly recovered himself and greeted Mr.

Underwood with expressions of profound sympathy. To his words of

condolence, however, Mr. Underwood deigned no reply, but his keen eyes

bent a searching look upon the face of the younger man, under which the

latter quailed visibly; then, without any preliminaries or any inquiries

regarding his absence, Mr. Underwood at once proceeded to business

affairs.




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