He was a dissipated-looking creature, hardly better in appearance than a race-horse tout, flashily dressed, wearing a large diamond in his tie--altogether one of the least desirable types of those who follow the races. But he was not only talking with evident familiarity to Mrs. Darcy, he had taken hold of her arm. It came to Joan in a flash that the man was doubtless some relative, possibly her brother. What did they know of Effie May's family? Joan stood still and frankly listened. "No, no, you don't put that over on me, old girl," this person was saying in a low but carrying voice. "You're not going to slip away on me again _that_ easy!" Her step-mother's rejoinder did not reach Joan's ears, but she saw her glance round uneasily. Joan did not blame her for not wishing to be seen with her present companion. She quietly slipped behind the shelter of a pillar. "Married, eh?" repeated the man's voice. "Come, that's a good one! I'm from Missouri, I am. You'll be sayin' Calloway married you next. Oho! he did, eh? A bigger fool than I took him for! If that's the case--" his voice sharpened--"you must a' come in for a pretty good thing when he croaked. You'll have to come across, old sport. No going back on a pal!" The color suddenly went out of Joan's cheeks. She leaned against her pillar, feeling rather queer. She wished she were not there--and yet she listened. Effie May's voice reached her, speaking quite steadily, "Not one cent, Joe! You're no pal of mine. When I left you it was for good and all, and you know why!" "Humm! Well, we'll see what your new husband thinks about it, eh?" "No, you don't!" It was a sort of gasp; but instantly the voice steadied again. "You'll never lay eyes on my husband, Joe. He doesn't live here. I--I just happened to come over for the races." The man grinned. "That's easy enough! I seen you drivin' in with your swell friends, and sittin' in a box and all. Recognized you right away, too, for all that thick veil. You ain't the sort a man forgets easy, Ef," he leered. "Not when he's knowed you like I have! I'll get your name before you leave this stand, and then--Better come across, kiddo!" "I--let me go now, Joe! I'll think it over." The man chuckled. "Afraid somebody'll see you talking to me, eh? You can bet your sweet life you'll think it over, and damn quick, too! See?" His grip tightened on her arm. Effie May glanced this way and that, nervously. Joan stepped out from behind her pillar. After all, the woman was her father's wife! She must be protected.... Just then she saw Archie coming, and hurried to him. "It was an old lady with a bonnet tied under her chin," he told her soberly. "She's dead." But Joan had no ears for the earlier tragedy. "There's a man frightening Mrs. Darcy," she said breathlessly, "he seems to be somebody she knows. He's--threatening her! Oh, Archie, what shall we do?"