Marjorie’s lovely hazel-gray eyes widened in horror as the meaning of his words dawned upon her. “You are entirely mistaken,” she protested vehemently. “I put the codicil Mr. Alvord gave me in the safe--upon my word of honor!” “I found the unsigned copy there an hour ago,” replied the Admiral steadily. “The other must be there, too,” Marjorie moved impetuously toward the small safe which was partly hidden from sight by a revolving bookcase. “Let me look----” “It is not necessary.” Marjorie wheeled about and her face crimsoned at the curtness of his tone. “I have just searched the entire contents of the safe--the signed codicil is not there.” “You must be wrong,” gasped Marjorie. “Mr. Alvord had the carbon copy; how could I put it in the safe?” “I have just telephoned Alvord,” said the Admiral quickly. “He declares he left the carbon copy on my desk.” There was a ghastly pause. The Admiral glanced keenly at his silent companion, and his eyes lighted in reluctant admiration of her beauty. Unconscious of his scrutiny, Marjorie studied the pattern of the rug with unseeing eyes, striving to collect her confused thoughts. “Are you engaged to Chichester Barnard?” inquired the Admiral, abruptly. The point blank question drove every vestige of color from Marjorie’s cheeks. Slowly she turned and regarded the Admiral from head to foot. “You have no right to ask that question,” she said icily. “That is a matter of opinion,” retorted the Admiral heatedly. “I think circumstances have given me that right. My wife, in this codicil, revoked her bequest to her nephew, Chichester Barnard”--he stopped impressively. “Alvord took down my wife’s instructions, then came here and, without my knowledge, had you typewrite the codicil. The night nurse, Miss Allen, tells me that after Alvord’s departure she came in here to use the telephone, and you were talking to Chichester. Is that true?” “Yes, I rang him up,” defiantly. “I have done the same in the past.” The Admiral sighed. “Miss Allen informed me that she overheard you tell Chichester that you must see him at once on a matter of importance.” He paused, waiting for some comment, but Marjorie stood as if turned to stone, and he continued more gently, “Come, Marjorie, own up that a mistaken, loyal impulse to aid and protect a--lover”--Marjorie shivered and her cold fingers plucked nervously at her gown--“prompted you to hold back the signed codicil. I will forget the matter if you will return the document to me.” “But I haven’t the codicil,” she protested. “You have destroyed it?” leaning intently toward her. “No. I have already told you I placed the paper in the safe.” The Admiral’s face hardened. “You still stick to----” “The truth,” proudly. “I have been your amanuensis for nearly two years; in that time have I ever lied to you?” “No.” “Then you must believe my word now.”