foretold a physical break down, or that he would seek relief in
full confession. To give the man confidence, he abandoned his
attitude of suspicion.

"That certainly would be strong enough for me," he said
cheerfully. "Did you tell him what I advised?"

"Yes, yes," muttered Rainey impatiently. "He said you were
invited here to give advice to his niece, not to him." For the
first time his eyes met those of Winthrop boldly. The District
Attorney recognized that the man had taken his fears by the
throat, and had arrived at his decision."

"See here," exclaimed Rainey, "could I give you some
information?"

"I'm sure you could," returned Winthrop briskly. "Give it to
me now."

But Rainey, glancing toward the door, shrank back. Winthrop,
following the direction of his eyes, saw Vera. Impatiently he
waved Rainey away.

"At the office, tomorrow morning," he commanded. With a sigh of
relief at the reprieve, Rainey slipped back into the bedroom.

Winthrop had persuaded himself that in seeking to speak with
Vera, he was making only a natural choice between preventing the
girl from perpetrating a fraud, or, later, for that fraud,
holding her to account. But when she actually stood before him,