“There’s just one thing I don’t understand,” Hal broke in upon April’s thoughts. “How does it come that you and Tracy know all about this meeting of Dorothea’s?” “We saw them together,” April answered, not realizing where this was leading. “Then why did you let the man get away?” demanded Hal, turning to Val. “You will have to ask your sister that,” Tracy replied. Hal turned to April with an inquiring glance and the girl saw that she must make some explanation. “The man was Lee Hendon, Hal,” she replied in a low voice. “Lee Hendon!” exclaimed Hal, suddenly enlightened. “Lee Hendon! And you saw him?” “Yes, I saw him with Dorothea,” April broke out. “I followed her, not knowing who the man was she went to meet, and we have not yet had any satisfactory answer as to why Dorothea did meet him. That we must have, if she is to stay any longer in this house.” “I can give you that, April,” Hal answered quietly. “Dorothea met Lee Hendon at my request.” “At your request!” April repeated in astonishment. “Yes,” Hal went on. “Lee Hendon saved my life, no matter what uniform he was wearing, and I was in his debt for that. Dorothea undertook to discharge that debt. I think we all owe her an apology.” CHAPTER XXVI MR. DAVIS MAKES A SPEECH Hal’s announcement came like a bursting bombshell to April and Val Tracy. The latter half turned away. “I’m an idiot!” he exclaimed to no one in particular. “There is no need for anybody to apologize,” Dorothea protested earnestly. “I’ve understood it all along. Of course you thought I was giving information to Mr. Hendon. I should have thought the same; but I hoped it would all be explained as soon as Hal was well. I didn’t want to bother him about it at first, and I wasn’t sure he wanted me to talk about it. That’s why I didn’t tell you in the beginning.” Hal told the story of how Hendon had brought him back and in a little while every one was apparently satisfied. April said she was sorry, and Dorothea forgave her promptly; but there was still a hint of reservation in April’s manner. There were other things that were not clear to her. She was by no means satisfied that Dorothea was free from all the blame. There were still matters that required clearing up, but she was not the sort of a girl to defend herself by stating vague suspicions and, though there was no very great warmth in her words to Dorothea, they were a confession of her fault and were as gracious as she could make them. And Dorothea had no wish to appear triumphant. The only grievance she had was that it had been taken for granted that no excuse was possible and that appearances should determine the matter so completely. But this she was willing to forget. She was glad that the misunderstanding was ended, and although she realized that April had yet to be won completely, she hoped in time to accomplish that also.