“I did not know that. I played for her. She became music-struck, and I took advantage of it--kissed her. Then she told me she was going to marry you.” “And that is why you asked me if I would trust you with a daughter of mine?” “Yes.” “Conscience. That explains this will.” “No. Why did you accept my suggestion to marry her?” “To make her comfortable without sidestepping the rules of convention.” “No. Because you love her--the way I do.” Cutty's pipe slipped from his teeth. It did not often do that. He stamped out the embers and laid the pipe on the tray. “What makes you think I love her?” “What makes me tell you that I do?” “Yes, death may be at the end of to-night's work; so I'll admit that I love her. She is like a forest stream, wild at certain turns, but always sweet and clear. I'm an old fool, old enough to be her father. I loved her mother. Can a man love two women with all his heart, one years after the other?” “It is the avatar; she is the reincarnation of the mother. I understand now. What was a beautiful memory takes living form again. You still love the mother; the daughter has revived that love.” “By the Lord Harry, I believe you've struck it! Walked into the fog and couldn't find the way out. Of course. What an old ass I've been! Simple as daylight. I've simply fallen in love with Molly all over again, thinking it was Kitty. Plain as the nose on my face. And I might have made a fine mess of it if you hadn't waked me up.” All this gentle irony went over Hawksley's head. “When do you wish me to go down to the taxi?” “Son, I'm beginning to like you. You shall have your chance. In fact, we'll take it together. There'll be a taxi but I'll hire it. I'm quite positive I know where Kitty is. If I'm correct you'll have your chance. If I'm wrong you'll have to pay the score. We'll get her out or we'll stay where she is. In any event, Karlov will pay the price. Wouldn't you prefer to go out--if you must--in a glorious scrap?” “Fighting?” Hawksley was on his feet instantly. “Do you mean that? I can die with free hands?” “With a chance of coming out top-hole.” “I say, what a ripping thing hope is--always springing back!” Cutty nodded. But he knew there was one hope that would never warm his heart again. Molly!... Well, he'd let the young chap believe that. Kitty must never know. Poor little chick, fighting with her soul in the dark and not knowing what the matter was! Such things happened. He had loved Molly on sight. He had loved Kitty on sight. In neither case had he known it until too late to turn about. Mother and daughter; a kind of sacrilege, as if he had betrayed Molly! But what a clear vision acknowledged love lent to the mind! He understood Kitty, who did not understand herself. Well, this night's adventure would decide things. He smiled. Neither Kitty nor the drums of jeopardy; nothing. The gates of paradise again--for somebody else! Whoever heard of a prompter receiving press notices?