his partners how he was situated. The slightest breath of suspicion
might cause the evenly balanced scales in which hung all chances to
hopelessly decline. The speculation now promised well.

If he could only keep things quiet a little longer--

Edith must help him. Calling her into the library after dinner, he
asked:

"Has Mr. Fox called lately?"

"No, sir, not for some little time."

"Will you oblige me by seeing him and being civil if he calls again?"
"Why, papa, I thought you did not wish me to see him."

"Circumstances have altered since then. Is he very disagreeable to
you?"

"Well, papa, I have scarcely thought of him, but to tell you the truth
when he has been here on business I have involuntarily thought of a
mousing cat, or the animal he is named after on the scent of a hen-
roost. But of course I can be civil or even polite to him if you wish
it."

A spasm of pain crossed her father's face and he put his hand hastily
to his head, a frequent act of late. He rose and took a few turns up
and down the room, muttering:

"Curse it all, I must tell her. Half knowledge is always dangerous,