"John!" gasped Virginia. She was the first to see Thorpe standing in the vestibule, the doors of which had been left open. John Thorpe had entered so quietly that none in the room saw him approach, and their conversation at the moment was so concentrated upon the mystery of Dorothy's disappearance that none of them heard his weary footfalls draw near. He was careworn and haggard. If John Thorpe felt any emotion on seeing Virginia and hearing her startled voice, he gave no sign. Unmoved, he coldly let his aching eyes rest on her, and then he lifted them to Mr. Harris. In that brief space of time, Rutley saw in Virginia's abashed eagerness to address her brother, a shadow of peril threaten him. The situation called for immediate action. He had previously noted his magnetic power over her and at once brought into requisition the wonderful "nerve" distinctly his heritage, and which had so often befriended him in moments of danger. Under cover of the fresh interest manifested in Mr. Thorpe's appearance, he coolly, quietly, and without the least hesitation, quickly placed himself beside her, and whispered in her ear: "Beware!" His tone was so menacing, though concealed by an unctious personality, that Virginia shrank from him, yet with the low, rebellious exclamation: "Scoundrel!" Nevertheless, she timidly deemed it discreet to arrange a meeting with John alone. Mr. Harris silently grasped Mr. Thorpe by the hand. They had been close friends, socially and in business affairs for many years, and the hopeless, haggard, careless appearance of his long time friend touched Mr. Harris deeply. "Poor fellow," he said, sympathetically. "You look all in." "Sleepless nights and wearisome days have doubtless produced results," languidly replied Mr. Thorpe. "Mr. Harris, I have come to beg your hospitality for an hour's rest." "Welcome to 'Rosemont,' thrice welcome, my dear friend. I shall have a quiet room prepared at once. Make yourself comfortable for a few moments until I return," and the energetic Mr. Harris immediately set out on his mission. "Dear me!" commented Mrs. Harris, "If we could but unravel the mystery of Dorothy's disappearance, what a relief it would be. Do you think it possible the child was abducted, Mr. Thorpe?" "Would to God I could believe it true," he gravely replied. "I am loath to believe that the mother was aware of it," interposed Rutley, in his soft, lazy, drawling voice, "but"---- Surprised, Mrs. Harris promptly interrupted him with: "Dear me, have you heard that Constance had intrigued for her child's disappearance?" Rutley fixed his gaze on Virginia, then transferred it to John Thorpe as he falteringly replied to Mrs. Harris' question: "Circumstances of a--a suspicious character tend to--a--implicate her."