"I am thinking, sir, of clearing her name. My girl would not be guilty of--" He stopped short; for he recalled the little incident in the old home. "I don't care," he cried passionately. "I'm driven to it, and it shall be sifted to the bottom." As he spoke, he ran up the stairs, closely followed by Max and his private inquirers. "Mr Hopper," cried Tom passionately, "this is your doing, to bring me in here. Come away. It is too cruel to her." "Hey? cruel?--I don't care," said Hopper sturdily. "I'll see it out; for look here, Tom, and you too, Mrs Richard,--I say, as I've said before, she'll come out of it clear as day. Now, come up." He stumped hastily upstairs, Tom feeling compelled to follow, but hating himself for the part he was playing, the result of hanging about the house time after time, for the sake of catching a glimpse of Jessie, and then telling Hopper that evening what he had seen. The old man had been astounded when, half-frantic, Tom had met him on his way to Richard Shingle's; and then insisted upon his coming to have the matter cleared up, vowing that there was a mistake. As the party reached the large landing, Jessie stood in front of the door of her room, the policeman being the last to complete the half-circle that surrounded her; and then Dick spoke. "Jessie, my darling," he said, tenderly, "I know this will upset you; but, my girl, when cruel conspiracies are hatched against us by scoundrels, we must meet them boldly." "Yes, father," said Jessie, who did not shrink, but darted a reproachful look at Tom that went to his heart. "Your uncle, to stab your fair fame, my dear, has brought these men to swear that they saw you let in some one to-night by the breakfast-room window; and they say he has not gone out. Speak out, my dear, and tell them it's a lie." There was no reply, and Mrs Shingle caught at her husband's arm; but he flushed up with passion and shook her off. "Jessie," he cried in a choking voice, "speak out quick!--is any one in that room of yours?" Jessie looked wildly from face to face, her glance resting longest on those of Max and Tom. "I say, is any one in that room?" thundered Dick, catching her by the wrist, which she snatched away, and, spreading her hands from side to side, as she stood back against the door, she cried out, wildly-- "No, father, no!" As she spoke there was a sharp creaking noise from within, as of a sash being thrown up; and Dick once more caught her by the wrist. "No, no!" she cried, struggling with him frantically. "Tom, dear Tom, for pity's sake save me from this disgrace!" Tom dashed forward, and caught her in his arms, more in sorrow than in anger; for Dick had swung her round with a savage oath, throwing open the door, and dashing in with the private inquiry men, to return dragging out a man with a strong resemblance to Tom, till Gilderoy gave his beard a twitch, and pulled it off, revealing the sallow, frightened countenance of Fred.