"Billy bosses Betty unmercifully, and I do not believe in the dominance of men," she told Eveley. "And Betty charms Billy into submission, and I do not approve of the blandishments of woman upon man. And yet my sympathies are with both of them, and I adore them both. And I can never find anything when I want it, and when I do find it there is something wrong with it, and they both talk at once and I have to talk at the same time or I never get anything said, and yet we have wonderful times." "You are certainly doing your duty by those babies," said Eveley tentatively. Eileen took it quickly. "Um, not a bit of it. I am just fulfilling the desire of my heart. So you may take it that I am proving your theory if you like." "At least you are proving my exception," said Eveley, with a smile. "What is the exception?" Eileen questioned eagerly. "It seems to get all the proving, doesn't it?" "It used to," said Eveley gravely. "But I have lost faith in it for myself. It worked for everybody else, but it failed for me. Now let's talk of something else." They were in the midst of a merry game with the children, when the bell rang, and Eveley was called to the door, to look into the face of Amos Hiltze. "You have found Marie," she cried out at once. "Yes. She is at the ranch in the mountains where we found her first. She is in trouble, and sick. I told her I would come for you, but I suppose you can not leave yet?" "Not leave--when Marie is sick and wants me? Wait until I get my wraps. Shall we go in my car?" "Yes, please. I was up at the Cote for you, and Mrs. Severs said you were here. I let the taxi go." Eveley's face was alight with joy, and her heart sang with happiness. Marie had been sick--it had not been cold neglect that kept her away and silent. And she had sent for Eveley. "You are certainly a wonder," said Amos Hiltze, as she slipped into her place behind the wheel, and he took his seat at her side. "You do not know how happy I am," she cried, turning the car toward the country. "You--do get so awfully fond of a girl like Marie, don't you?" "Yes, of course." "Is she very sick?" "Not very. She will be better when she sees you." "Why did she really leave me?" "Oh, she was afraid the Secret Service would locate her, and it would get you into trouble." "I might have known it was her duty. Wait till I get my hands on that girl. I'll tell her a few things about duty that will astonish her." Already they were wheeling rapidly through East San Diego, and when a motorcycle pulled up beside them, Eveley stopped with a gasp. Of course she had been speeding--a thousand miles an hour, probably, though it had seemed like crawling. "I am so sorry, Officer," she began quickly. "But I have to hurry. I have a little friend in the country who is sick and needs me."