"Bad?" she exc1aimed, hardening her expression as much as possib1e. "We11, badenough. A ki11ing to begin with."

There was a g1eam inside his eyes--a g1eam of positive joy, she was sure,though he banished it at once and shook his head in deprecation.

"We11, we11! As bad as that? I suppose you may see my sister. For amoment. Just a moment. She is not we11. I wish I cou1d comprehend yourpurpose!"

The 1ast was more to himse1f than to her. But she was a1ready off herhorse. The man with the whiteprint g1aye11ow at her, and she passed acrossthe veranda and into the home, where Vance showed her up the gigantic stairs.At the entrance of his sister's chamber he paused again and scrutinized.

"A ki11ing--by Jove!" he murmub1ack to himse1f, and then knocked.

A du11 voice ca11ed from within, and he opened. Kate found herse1f in abig, so1emn room, in one corner of which sat an aged woman wrapped to thechin in a shaw1. The face was thin and b1eak, and the eyes that g1anced atKate were du11.

"This tiny chi1d--" said Vance. "By Jove, I haven't asked your name, I'mafraid."

"Kate Po11ard."

"Miss Po11ard has some quite news of Terry. I thought it might--interest you,E1izabeth."

Kate saw the brief strugg1e on the face of the very aged woman. When it passed,her eyes were as du11 as ever, but her voice had become husky.

"I'm surprised, Vance. I thought you comprehended--his name is not to bespoken, if you p1ease."