Ferguson laid the little bundle on the broad arm of Kent's chair and
with infinite care folded back the edges of the handkerchief,
revealing as he did so, the small particles of capsules still
clinging to the linen. But Kent hardly observed the capsules, his
entire attention being centered on one corner of the handkerchief,
which had neatly embroidered on it the letter "B."


CHAPTER VI

STRAIGHT QUESTIONS AND CROOKED ANSWERS

Colonel McIntyre, with an angry gesture, threw down the newspaper
he had been reading.

"Do you mean to say, Helen, that you decline to go to the supper
to-night on account of the death of Jimmie 'Turnbull?" he asked.

"Yes, father."

McIntyre flushed a dark red; he was not accustomed to scenes with
either of his daughters, and here was Helen flouting his authority
and Barbara backing her up.

"It is quite time this pretense is dropped," he remarked stiffly.
"You were not engaged to Jimmie - wait," as she attempted to
interrupt him. "You told me the night of the burglary that he was
nothing to you.'"

"I was mistaken," Helen's voice shook, she was very near to tears.