drank. Ralph had often helped him home, and then tried to get the man to
talk of reformation, but it seemed like a hopeless case.

"Why should that strange man want the paper to keep quiet about Mrs.
Douglass?" asked Dorothy.

"Something about Burlock, perhaps," Ralph answered, thoughtfully. "This
man may be in with the drinking class, and perhaps if Burlock read
anything or heard it, somehow he might go to the Douglass house, and
they say Death is a great teacher. I know Mrs. Douglass often befriended
Burlock."

"Then let him blow the office up!" cried Dorothy, with sudden courage.
"Father never listened to threats! Tavia, can you remember some of the
important facts? Quiet yourself and think it over."




CHAPTER III

A STRANGE ADVENTURE


Joe Dale was a credit to the family. Although only a boy in his tenth
year, he possessed as much manliness as many another well in the teens.
He was tall, and of the dark type, while Dorothy was not quite so tall,
and had fair hair; so that, in spite of the difference of their ages,
Joe was often considered Dorothy's big brother. Roger was just a pretty
baby, so plump and with such golden curls! Dorothy had pleaded not to