"And suppose you do," retorted his friend, rising; "we are searching for a needle in a haystack, remember, Toddy, and must poke about in every direction. We'll look into the money business first, and then we can question Mrs. Pelham Odin and Bellaria as to the possibility of there being any relationship between these two girls." "See here," remarked Macandrew slowly, "all this talk is first rate if you were writing a story and knew the end. But it seems to me that, as we have to deal with real life, you are making circumstances to fit in with your theories." "Perhaps I am," replied Haskins, with a shrug, "but I am so much in love with Mavis that I shall move heaven and earth to get her." "Why not be bold and ask Rebb straight out? Then he could tell you the story of the girl's birth, and perhaps may explain why she is so like Charity. If Rebb dislikes this Mavis so much that he shuts her up he won't mind your taking her off his hands." "Oh, yes, he will, if money goes with her," said Gerald grimly. "I don't want to make Rebb think that I am in love. The whole business is shady." "Do you mean your love-making?" asked Tod slyly. "No, you rotter. My love-making is as straight as Rebb's ways are crooked. Do what I say, and when we learn if there is a will----" "Well?" "We'll know how to move next. Meanwhile I intend to tell the story that I have told you to Mrs. Crosbie." "But, I say, she'll go straight and tell Rebb." "No," said Haskins decisively. "I have known Mrs. Crosbie for years, and she is as honest and good a little woman as ever lived. Mrs. Berch is also a ripping sort, if somewhat funereal. If Major Rebb is a villain--and I really believe that he is--I don't want Mrs. Crosbie's life to be made miserable by marrying him--or Mrs. Berch's either: you know how she adores her daughter." "All the same, Mrs. Crosbie may tell Rebb," insisted Tod Macandrew. "I don't think so. I shall enlist her sympathies on my behalf. Every woman loves a love affair. Then my story will put her on her guard against Major Rebb, and she'll probably contrive to find out the truth of the business without his knowing. Good-day, Toddy boy." Haskins shot out of the office rapidly, but Macandrew sat soberly at the desk shaking his red poll. It appeared to him that Gerald was about to climb the Hill Difficulty, and might not reach the top. CHAPTER IX. MRS. CROSBIE.