“No one would regret all this more than my grandfather, —I am sure of that. There are many inexplicable things about his affairs. It seems hardly possible that a man so shrewd as he, and so thoughtful of the feelings of others, should have left so many loose ends behind him. But I assure you I am giving my whole attention to these matters, and I am wholly at your service in anything I can do to help you.” “I sincerely hope that nothing may interfere to prevent your meeting Mr. Glenarm’s wish that you remain through the year. That was a curious and whimsical provision, but it is not, I imagine, so difficult.” She spoke in a kindly tone of encouragement that made me feel uneasy and almost ashamed for having already forfeited my claim under the will. Her beautiful gray eyes disconcerted me; I had not the heart to deceive her. “I have already made it impossible for me to inherit under the will,” I said. The disappointment in her face rebuked me sharply. “I am sorry, very sorry, indeed,” she said coldly. “But how, may I ask?” “I ran away, last night. I went to Cincinnati to see Miss Devereux.” She rose, staring in dumb astonishment, and after a full minute in which I tried vainly to think of something to say, I left the house. There is nothing in the world so tiresome as explanations, and I have never in my life tried to make them without floundering into seas of trouble. CHAPTER XXI PICKERING SERVES NOTICE The next morning Bates placed a letter postmarked Cincinnati at my plate. I opened and read it aloud to Larry: On Board the Heloise December 25, 1901. John Glenarm, Esq., Glenarm House, Annandale, Wabana Co., Indiana: DEAR SIR—I have just learned from what I believe to be a trustworthy source that you have already violated the terms of the agreement under which you entered into residence on the property near Annandale, known as Glenarm House. The provisions of the will of John Marshall Glenarm are plain and unequivocal, as you undoubtedly understood when you accepted them, and your absence, not only from the estate itself, but from Wabana County, violates beyond question your right to inherit. I, as executor, therefore demand that you at once vacate said property, leaving it in as good condition as when received by you. Very truly yours, Arthur Pickering, Executor of the Estate of John Marshall Glenarm. “Very truly the devil’s,” growled Larry, snapping his cigarette case viciously. “How did he find out?” I asked lamely, but my heart sank like lead. Had Marian Devereux told him! How else could he know? “Probably from the stars,—the whole universe undoubtedly saw you skipping off to meet your lady-love. Bah, these women!”