"Well, dear; I couldn't do that without appearing to be rude." "Then you should have been rude, very rude. She deserves rudeness." "But I refused the dinners and the theatres on the plea that I was busy. I did not intend to see her to-day, but after her conversation with you, I think it is just as well that she should understand things." "I agree. Tell her you intend to marry me and not her. Oh, what a cat she is! What a persistent, spiteful cat!" "She is showing her claws at any rate," said Craver, with a shrug. "It is puzzling to know why she has taken this mad fancy to me." "It's not puzzling at all," rejoined Claudia, promptly. "I took a fancy to you myself. You are handsome and clever and----" "Oh, spare my blushes!" interrupted Edwin again, and really did grow crimson at these crude compliments. "You make me feel an ass. But there is no doubt," he continued seriously, "that she means mischief with regard to your father." "You don't think that he is guilty, Edwin?" faltered the girl, wincing. "No, no! Certainly he is innocent. But he was in the house when Wyke was murdered, and Lady Wyke may try to implicate him in the matter. Sergeant Purse isn't very clever, you know, while she is; so she may be able to twist him, round her finger. I'd better pay the visit, Claudia." "Yes. But don't--don't--kiss--her." "Claudia!" "I know I'm silly," said Miss Lemby, dismally; "but she's old and desperately in love with you. I don't say that you'll kiss her----" "Which you did," interpolated Edwin. "But she may kiss you." Very much amused, Edwin jumped up and swung Claudia to her feet, "You are a silly child," he said fondly. "You are the only woman I ever loved, or ever shall love. Will you come with me and keep guard?" "No!" Claudia stamped viciously, "I couldn't keep my temper. She certainly means mischief with regard to my father, Edwin, for she is keeping him on the string." "What do you mean by that?" "I mean what I say. Dad wants to marry her and get the money. He said so. She guesses that, and is allowing him to write her silly letters so that she may keep in touch with him. For all I know she may ask him to dinners and theatres, as she asks you. Dad is clever in some ways but a fool in others." Craver remembered the truculent manners of the buccaneer, and recalled his dominating personality. "I don't think Lady Wyke will find him such a fool as she imagines. He is quite capable of twisting her neck." "Oh!" Claudia turned pale. "That sounds as though dad was capable of stabbing Sir Hector." "He didn't do that," said Edwin decisively. "How can you be sure?" Craver hesitated in a most unaccountable manner. "Well, it might be the other fellow who bolted on the bicycle, you know. If there had been any evidence against your father he would have been arrested after the inquest." "That is true," sighed Claudia, with relief, "But what does Lady Wyke mean by her hints?" "I'm going to find out. Don't worry."