one of these remote rooms I came upon her sitting in one of the
windows looking out. How she got there or why she went, I cannot
tell you. She didn't choose to tell me, and I didn't ask. But I've
not felt real easy about her since."

"Excuse me, Mrs. Yardley, it may be a matter of no moment, but do
you mind telling me where this room is?"

"It's on the top floor, sir; and it looks out over the ravine.
Perhaps she was spying out the path to your house."

The judge's face hardened. He felt baffled and greatly disturbed;
but he spoke kindly enough when he again addressed Mrs. Yardley:

"I am as ignorant as you of this woman's personality and of her
reasons for intruding into my presence this morning. But there is
something so peculiar about this presumptuous attempt of hers at
an interview, that I feel impelled to inquire into it more fully,
even if I have to approach the only source of information capable
of giving me what I want--that is, herself. Mrs. Yardley, will you
procure me an immediate interview with this woman? I am sure that
you can be relied upon to do this and to do it with caution. You
have the countenance of a woman unusually discreet."

The subtle flattery did its work. She was not blind to the fact
that he had introduced it for that very purpose, but it was not in
her nature to withstand any appeal from so exalted a source
however made. Lifting her eyes fearlessly to his, she responded
earnestly: