"I know," said Janet, "that Virginia didn't care for Mr. Weegman, and the more her father sought to influence her the less she thought of him. She was proud of Franklin because he had proved his business ability, and she thought Mr. Collier would give in soon. But I can't understand why she stopped writing to me. She hasn't written since arriving on this side." "We're not getting anywhere by speculating like this," said Lefty. "Can you be ready to go North with me to-morrow?" "You are going back so soon?" "Just as soon as we can start. I'm thinking I ought to have remained there. I only came South at all in order to make sure of Mysterious Jones, and now it looks as though I wasted both time and money by doing so. Perhaps I would have been better off if Skullen had succeeded in getting Jones away from me." "But the cottage--our lease runs another full month." "It can't be helped. We'll have to pay the rental and give it up." "And your arm--you thought another month down here might give you time to work it back into condition." "I've got plenty to worry about besides my arm. I've been told plainly that I've been picked to be the goat by a set of scoundrels who are trying to put over a dirty piece of work, and, if I fool them, I'll have to do it with my head, not my arm. I'm going to stake everything on my ability to put the kibosh on their crooked game, and to stand any chance of succeeding I must be on the field of battle. So we must leave Fernandon to-morrow, my dear." To accomplish this necessitated no small amount of hustling, but Janet did her part. With the assistance of her maid and a colored man, the work was speedily done. There were tears in Janet's eyes when she looked back at the deserted little cottage, as they drove away in a carriage to catch the train. "It has been pleasant here," she said. "I'll never forget it. We were so quiet and so happy. Now, somehow, I have a feeling that there's nothing but trouble ahead of us. You've taken a big contract, Phil." "Are you afraid?" he asked. She looked up at him and smiled proudly. "Not a bit. You are not the sort of man who fails. I know you'll win out." His cheeks glowed and a light leaped into his eyes. "After hearing you say that, I couldn't fail, Janet, dear," he said quietly but earnestly. "It's going to be some fight, but let it come--I'm ready."