"Well, when I left there I motored up Nineteenth Street, instead of taking the more direct way home. I thought I would turn into Massachusetts Avenue at Dupont circle, where there was less danger of running into electric cars, for the rain was falling in such torrents that I could hardly see through my wind-shield. "When opposite the Owen residence I ran into a lot of waiting carriages and motors, and had to slow down. In fact, I went so slowly that by the time I was nearly opposite Miss Thornton's residence I stalled my engine and had to get out in all the wet and crank up," he paused dramatically. "You can imagine my surprise when I saw Miss Thornton come down under the awning which led to her front door and stand at the curb, looking up and down the street." "How do you know it was Miss Thornton?" broke in Douglas harshly. "There was a street lamp by the side of the awning and the light fell full on her; besides, I recognized the scarlet cloak she was wearing. I have seen it many times." "What did my niece do, besides standing still and looking up and down the street?" demanded Colonel Thornton scornfully. "She ran out into the middle of the street and down where a carriage was drawn up at the curb, opened the door, stood there talking, apparently, for a few minutes, then shut the door and bolted back to the awning, and I presume entered her house, as I saw no more of her." "What did you do next?" inquired Douglas, with peculiar emphasis. Winthrop flushed at his tone. "I had curiosity enough to step back and see that it was Senator Carew's landau, the last of a long queue of vehicles, at which she had stopped; then I went on about my business." "Do you mean to say that you did not investigate further?" asked the Secretary, leaning forward the better to scan Winthrop's face. "No. I knew enough never to interfere with Senator Carew's love affairs!" His sneer was intolerable. "By God!" Colonel Thornton sprang to his feet and advanced on Winthrop, but Brett stepped between the two men. "Have a little patience, Colonel," he said, pushing the irate man toward his seat; "then you can settle with Mr. Winthrop." "Do you think I'm going to sit here and listen to aspersions on my niece's character?" he shouted. "Let me get my hands on that scoundrel!" "Wait, Uncle Dana,"--Eleanor leaned forward and placed her hand on his arm,--"let him finish; then I will speak," and her lips closed ominously. "That is excellent advice," agreed the Secretary; "resume your seat, Colonel Thornton." His tone of command was not to be denied, and Thornton dropped back in his chair. "Now, Mr. Winthrop, explain your last remark." "Senator Carew told me on Monday afternoon that he expected to marry Miss Thornton, and that he intended to spend the evening with her." Douglas leaned forward and gazed earnestly at Eleanor, but she refused to meet his look, and with a troubled expression he turned his attention to Winthrop, who was again speaking.