She clasped her little jewelled hands together fiercely and bent her head dejectedly. “I cannot tell you all now,” she answered desperately, “you would have to hear the whole before you could understand. Wait until we are alone.” “Is it financial trouble?” he urged after a pause with a gentle persistence in his voice. “Yes, that—and—_other things_!” Evadne forced a tear to the fringes of her almond lids. He studied her gravely: “I’ll tell you what I want you to do,” he said at last, “I will not be here tomorrow nor possibly for several days, but I would like you to talk with our old family lawyer. He was a friend of my father’s, and is very wise and kind. Anything you could tell to me you can tell to him. He knows you and will fully understand. I can call him tonight when I get back and explain, and he will be glad to come here and see you I am sure; or if you prefer you can go to his office.” But Evadne lifted her sleek, black head wrathfully, flicked off the tear, flung out her chin, and looked him down with her almond eyes as if from a great height: “Thank you!” she said crisply, “When I want a family lawyer I can get one! And YOU—can—GO!” She pointed to the door with her jewelled hand imperiously and Maxwell arose with dignity, his eyes upon her as if he would force himself to see the worst, and went. “Bob!” said Evadne to the bibulous man at the table when the elevator door had clanged shut after her one-time lover, “I’m not sure but I shall come back to Philadelphia after a few days and stay awhile. I wonder if you could keep track of that man for me and tell me just where he goes and what he does. I’ll make it worth your while you know.” “Surely, old dear, I’ll be delighted. No trouble at all. I know a private detective who would be tickled to death for the job. What did you say the poor fish’s name is? Seemed a harmless sort of chump. Not quite your kind is he? Come, Vaddie, let’s have another drink.” But Evadne’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she took the glass and drank slowly. She was not one to take lightly any loss. Out in the night the young man drew a deep breath of the clean air thankfully. It seemed as though he had escaped from something unwholesome and tainted. He was glad that he had the sense to know it, and he thought back again with relief to the happy evening in the simple, natural home. CHAPTER XXII Carey had been working quite steadily at the garage and giving money to his father and Cornelia every week. It really made things much easier in the home. Word had come that the mother was steadily progressing toward health, and everybody was much happier. It seemed that Carey was happier, too. He was not away so much at night, which relieved his sister and his father tremendously.