“Well, Maida, I don’t wonder you consented,” said Miss Lane, her round eyes wide with surprise. “And I suppose he’s going to renounce all claim to this estate?” “Yes,” said Maida, calmly. “Anything else?” said Allen, unable to keep an ironic note out of his voice. “Yes,” put in Fibsy, “he’s going to be governor of Massachusetts.” “Oh, my heavens and earth!” gasped Genevieve, “what rubbish!” “Rubbish, nothing!” Fibsy defended his statement. “You know he’s after it.” “I felt sure he would, when Sam Appleby gave up the running—but—I didn’t know he had taken any public steps.” “Never mind what Mr. Keefe is going to do, or not going to do,” said Maida, in a tone of finality, “I expect to marry him—and soon.” “Well,” said Stone, in a business-like way, “I think our next one to confer with must be Mr. Keefe.” CHAPTER XVIII A FINAL CONFESSION Inquiry for Keefe brought the information that he had gone to a nearby town, but would be back at dinner-time. Mr. Appleby was also expected to arrive for dinner, coming from home in his motor car. But in the late afternoon a severe storm set in. The wind rose rapidly and gained great velocity while the rain fell steadily and hard. Curtis Keefe arrived, very wet indeed, though he had protecting clothing. But a telephone message from Sam Appleby said that he was obliged to give up all idea of reaching Sycamore Ridge that night. He had stopped at a roadhouse, and owing to the gale he dared not venture forth again until the storm was over. He would therefore not arrive until next day. “Lucky we got his word,” said Mr. Wheeler. “This storm will soon put many telephone wires out of commission.” When Keefe came down at the dinner hour, he found Maida alone in the living-room, evidently awaiting him. “My darling!” he exclaimed, going quickly to her side, “my own little girl! Are you here to greet me?” “Yes,” she said, and suffered rather than welcomed his caressing hand on her shoulder. “Curtis, I told them you would tell them who killed Mr. Appleby.” “So I will, dearest, after dinner. Let’s not have unpleasant subjects discussed at table. I’ve been to Rushfield and I’ve found out all the particulars that I hadn’t already learned, and—I’ve got actual proofs! Now, who’s a cleverer detective than the professionals?” “Then that’s all right. Now, are you sure you can also get father freed?” “I hope to, dear. That’s all I can say at present. Do you take me for a magician? I assure you I’m only an ordinary citizen. But I——” “But you promised——” “Yes, my little love, I did, and I well know that you promised because I did! Well, I fancy I shall keep every promise I made you, but not every one as promptly as this exposure of the criminal.” “But you’ll surely fix it so father can go into Massachusetts—can go to Boston?”