“There, what did I tell you?” she demanded. “Be quiet!” Calderon Fordyce’s face had grown very grave. “Janet, are you telling the absolute truth?” Never had he spoken in that tone before to her, and Janet whitened. “Yes, father.” “How did Miss Marjorie steal the necklace?” The question cost him an effort. “Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper requested her to replace her scarf about her shoulders,” Janet spoke more and more slowly and with growing reluctance. “When Marjorie lowered her hand, I saw the end of the pearl necklace hanging from it.” “And you said nothing?” “No, father.” “Why?” “I wasn’t absolutely certain--I’ve kept quiet since, because I could not bear to betray Marjorie.” Calderon Fordyce broke the tense silence. “Miss Marjorie, can you deny my daughter’s statement?” Marjorie was ghastly as she straightened up and faced her accusers; Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper and Pauline openly triumphant, Calderon Fordyce, stern, unbending; and Janet, pitying. Janet’s features were strangely like and unlike Duncan’s, and the elusive likeness haunted Marjorie. Twice she strove to speak. “Oh, what’s the use?” she cried, and laughing hysterically, fled from the room. CHAPTER XX WATCHFUL WAITING “CAN I see Dr. Potter?” inquired Duncan, handing his visiting-card to Mrs. Walbridge’s butler. “Mr. Fordyce, sir?” interrogatively, and Duncan nodded assent. “The Doctor is waiting for you, sir. Please step this way”--but before they reached the drawing-room, Paul Potter appeared in the hall. “Very glad to see you, Duncan,” he said warmly. “Nobody’s home but myself, so come into the Judge’s den; we can talk undisturbed there.” “I was detained in reaching here. I wanted particularly to see you alone. I had to drop Janet at home first; she went out with me to try my new roadster,” explained Duncan, following Potter into the cozy room which Judge Walbridge used as his sanctum sanctorum. “Mother wishes to know if you will dine informally with us tonight; only a few friends are coming in.” “I shall be delighted to. It happens that Judge and Mrs. Walbridge are dining out, an engagement they made before I came, so I shall not upset any of their plans,” replied Potter. “Come over here to the light and let me get a good look at you,” indicating a seat by the window. “Um, a clear bill of health”--inspecting him carefully. “Only older than when you saw me last,” smiled Duncan, “and wiser.” “Perhaps,” dryly, noting the unusual lines about Duncan’s eyes and mouth. “And does wisdom bring happiness?” “Don’t know,” with unusual abruptness. “It’s good to see you again, Paul; where have you been since I left you in South America?” “Knocking about the world. The wanderlust is ruining me, Duncan; I cannot make up my mind to seriously sit down in San Francisco and resume my practice.”