"I can't turn them out of Oakley. I must keep them there, every one of them, at any cost." Dr. Vaughan looked puzzled. "We can't allow them to kill that old man, not even to vindicate poetical justice," he said, gravely. "No; we can't allow just that. But don't you see, if we turn these people away now, we defeat a chief end and aim--the liberation of Philip Girard?" "True." "Well, this is why I have changed my plan." He looked at her with an admiration that was almost homage. "And you will give up your own vengeance, for the sake of Olive and her happiness?" She laughed oddly. "Not at all. I only defer it, to make it the more complete. Now, listen to what I propose to do, and see if you can suggest anything safer or better." And then she unfolded a plan that made Clarence Vaughan start in amazement, but which, after it was fully revealed, he could not amend nor condemn. He could see no other way by which all that they aimed at could be accomplished. "Of course, the plan has its risks," concluded the girl. "But we could try no other scheme without incurring the same, or greater. And I _believe_ that I shall not fail." "I wish it were not necessary that you should undergo so much; think what it will be for you," gently. "Oh, for me, ..." indifferently; "I shall be less of a spy, and more of an actress,--that is all." "Then I shall set the detectives at work?" "Immediately." "Have you any further instructions, any clue, to give them?" "Nothing; it is to be simply a research. Neither must know to what end the information is desired. It will be better to employ your men from different Agencies, so that one may not know of the other, or his business." "And is there nothing more I can do?" "Nothing, for the present. When once we get these men together, we shall all have our hands full. Then you can help me, perhaps, as I suggested." "Well," sighing, and looking at his watch, "it's a strange business, and a difficult, for a young girl like you. But we are in your hands; you are worth a thousand such as I." "Nonsense," she said, almost angrily. Then, abruptly, "When does Claire return to Baltimore?" He started and flushed under her gaze. "I--I really don't know." "Then, as my brother, I command you to know all about Claire. She is my special charge to you. And you are to tell her, from me, that I won't have her go away." "Then I must do all in my power to detain her? Your command will have more effect than all of my prayers," he said, softly. "Well, keep on reiterating my commands and your prayers, then; by and by she won't be able to distinguish the one from the other. What time is it?" He smiled at the sudden change of tone and subject. "Half-past nine," he said. While the words were on his lips, Old Hagar entered.