"It isn't worth an extra heart-beat, Miss Elton," he said. "Ignore it

and your world will promptly forget it."

"But, Mr. Lenox, you do not understand. It is not the question of the

truth or falsehood of the story that shakes me. As you say, that is too

absurd. But I shall always wonder who is my enemy, and why."

Norris was looking at her with awakened terror. With the intuition of

love, he had read the processes of her self-conquest at the time of

Dick's marriage. But here was a new possibility. Could it be that this

fair and delicate creature was now to be enwoofed by Sebastian Early,

whom at this juncture Ellery characterized to himself as a "fat toad"?

He made up his mind that it would not do to trust, as he had been doing,

to time to stand his friend. He must also bestir himself.

"I wonder," he said aloud, "I wonder if Miss Huntress knows anything

about it. I have a dim idea that some one told me that she wrote things

for the Chatterer. Our society editor, you know."

"But even if she did dislike me--and I don't know her from Adam--how

could she know?" said Madeline, turning on him. "You see I was alone

with Mr. Early, and I am sure, for certain reasons," here Ellery was

horrified to see a little flush creeping over her face, "that he would

not be guilty of any attempt to besmirch me. And no one else knew that I

was there--except--" A sudden startled look came over her face and she

looked involuntarily at Dick. "Except--" she said, and her voice trailed

off.

"Besides, these small acts are those of women," said the Swami placidly.

Dick had caught Madeline's look of astonished comprehension and he

turned pale as he saw. Now, with Ram Juna's words, conviction flashed

upon him. He remembered Lena's dislike for Madeline, of which he had

made light; he remembered the little insignificant woman whom he had met

in his wife's boudoir; the fact that he was Mr. Early's nearest neighbor

clapped assurance on suspicion, and his muddled mind was capable of only

one idea. No one else, least of all, Madeline, must suspect her little

meanness.

"Dick, you have an inkling," said Mr. Lenox abruptly, but in all

innocence.

"Not in the least," said Dick hurriedly. "I assure you that if I had the

slightest reason to suspect any one, I would be the first to speak.

I--you know I think everything of you, Madeline." He went toward her in

a futile way, with outstretched hand, but Madeline's eyes were down, and

apparently she did not see the friendly overture. His face looked pale,

strained and old as he stood for a moment before her, and the others

surveyed them in silence.




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