of her eye, "that there is no suspicion that Courtleigh Fleming
robbed his own bank?"

"Well, if he did," said the Doctor amicably, "I can testify that he
didn't have the loot with him." His tone grew more serious. "No!
He had his faults--but not that."

Miss Cornelia made up her mind. She had resolved before not to
summon the Doctor for aid in her difficulties, but now that chance
had brought him here the opportunity seemed too good a one to let
slip.

"Doctor," she said, "I think I ought to tell you something. Last
night and the night before, attempts were made to enter this house.
Once an intruder actually got in and was frightened away by Lizzie
at the top of that staircase." She indicated the alcove stairs.
"And twice I have received anonymous communications threatening my
life if I did not leave the house and go back to the city."

Dale rose from her settee, startled.

"I didn't know that, Auntie! How dreadful!" she gasped.

Instantly Miss Cornelia regretted her impulse of confidence. She
tried to pass the matter off with tart humor.

"Don't tell Lizzie," she said. "She'd yell like a siren. It's the
only thing she does like a siren, but she does it superbly!"

For a moment it seemed as if Miss Cornelia had succeeded. The Doctor