The globe of light on the peak of his tower seemed, humorously, to have become his headlight--Manly's figures of speech clung--its white and red flashes, its moments of darkness, were like the workings of his mind, but he knew no longer the old depression. He was on the main line, and he had his orders--secret ones, so far, but safe ones. Kathryn grew more charming as time passed. She did not seem to resent Northrup's detachment, though the tower room lured him dangerously. Once she had hinted that she'd love to see his workshop; hear some of his work. But Northrup had put her off. "Wait, dear, until I've finished the thing, and then you and I will have a regular gorge of it, up in my tower." Kathryn at this put up her mouth to be kissed while behind her innocent smile she was picturing the girl of King's Forest in those awful muddy trousers! _She_ had heard the book in the making; she had not been pushed aside. More and more Mary-Clare became a stumbling block to Kathryn. She felt she was a dangerous type; the kind men never could understand, until it was too late, and never forgot. And Brace _was_ changed. The subtle unrest did not escape Kathryn. "I wonder----" And Kathryn did wonder. Wondered most at the possibility of Mary-Clare ever appearing on the surface again. For--and this was a humiliating thought to Kathryn--she realized she was no match for that girl of the Forest! However, Kathryn, as was her wont when things went wrong, pulled down the shade mentally, as once she had done physically, against the distasteful conditions Brace had evolved. And there was much to be attended to--so Kathryn, with great efficiency, set to work. She must make provision for her aunt's future. This was not difficult, for poor Anna was so relieved that any provision was to be considered, that she accepted Kathryn's lowest figure. Then there was Arnold. Sandy, at the moment, was disgusted at Northrup's return. It interfered with his plans. Sandy had a long and keen scent. The trouble overseas had awakened a response in him, he meant to serve the cause--but in his own way. Secretly he was preparing. He was buying up old vessels, but old vessels were expensive and the secrecy prevented his borrowing money. He wanted to get married, too. Kathryn, with only his protection and he with Kathryn's little fortune, would create, at the moment, a situation devoutly to be desired. Kathryn had to deal with this predicament cautiously. Sandy was so horribly matter-of-fact--not a grain of Northrup's idealism about him! But for that very reason, in the abominably upset state of the world, he was not lightly to be cast on the scrap-heap. One never could tell! Brace might act up sentimentally, but Sandy could be depended upon always--he was a rock! So Kathryn, embroidering her wedding linen--for she meant to be married soon--prayed for guidance.