“I want to see Dean Mercer, if he is here,” cried Mr. Montague, as soon as he could get his breath enough to speak. “Here he is to answer for himself,” declared the judge. “Durand has ’phoned me that those papers and money have not been given to him, Dean,” cried the lawyer, without stopping to reply to the judge. “I know it, Mr. Montague,” replied Dean. “I was coming to see you as soon as I could. I did not have time to see Mr. Durand, or ’phone to you.” “Why haven’t they been delivered, boy? Every day in this matter is of vital importance.” In as few words as possible Dean then told of the disappearance of Marcus Ellison with the money and papers, while his listeners looked upon him in silence until he had finished. It is unnecessary to record the half-hour’s conversation that followed. Of course, it threw no light upon the real situation. In this case no blame could be attached to Dean, though he already felt that, in addition to the other matter, unless some good reason should develop explaining Marcus Ellison’s mysterious disappearance, the two singular and unfortunate incidents were going to be connected. The successful trip of the new steamer was overshadowed completely by these unexpected matters. “I must go down on the _Spray_ to-morrow morning,” affirmed Judge Oglesby. “I shall sift this affair to the bottom.” “I must go to Springfield, too,” declared Mr. Montague. “The loss of that money will be a serious handicap to me. But worse than that is the loss of those papers, which mean the life of Robert Ellison. Unless I can find them, he will go to the electric chair, though he is an innocent man.” “I will do all in my power to help in this matter,” said Dean. “If there is nothing further I can do here, I must return to the _Spray_, where I am needed.” “Yes; do not fail in your duty there,” said the judge. Though it may have been simply the imagination of Dean in his nervous state, he could not help thinking that there was a hidden meaning in the remark to him. The finger of suspicion was pointed at him. Eva had disappeared from sight, as he left the house, but he was pleased to find her waiting for him near the fountain at the turn of the walk. She advanced with extended hands, saying: “I am so sorry for you, Dean. I do not think papa really blames you, and we will hope the affair will be explained soon.” “Thank you, Miss Eva, for your kind words. Believe me, I shall do everything in my power to solve the mystery. It is so strange such misfortunes should come just as we were getting started.” “Do not anticipate final disappointment, Dean. Remember misfortunes are but opportunities to test our ability to conquer.” Her words came to him like a prophecy, and through all of his trials he often recalled them. Nothing further was learned to throw any light on the situation, and promptly the following morning the _Spray_ was ready to return to her destination at the other end of the lake.