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"That's sih anyhoas her only comment After a while sheasked:

"Do you kno far they have got in their search?"

"I do not; I only know that they expected to find where you lived twodays ago I suppose they have found it out by this"

"Sa hi, if he doesn't look out But do you know yet whyall this trouble is being taken about me"

"I can tell you," I answered "but you must not tell any one, for itwould not do for the sake of others if it got about There is a plan gotup by a gang of blackmailers to kidnap you for a ransoan to clap her hands

"Oh, that is too delicious!" she said "Tell me all you know of it Wemay be able to lead them on a bit It will be an awful lark!" I couldnot possibly share herin ht for a minute or tithher brorinkled and then she said:

"Are you really serious, Archie, as to any danger in the matter?"

"My dear, there is always danger in a conspiracy of base men We haveto fear, for we don't know the power or numbers of the conspiracy Wehave no idea of their , or where or hoeis a mystery to us Doubtless it will only comefrom one point; but we must be ready to repel, all round the compass"

"But, look here, it is only danger"

"The danger is to you; if it were to , remember that it is out ofto h You have taken new responsibilities on you, Marjory, since youlet a man love you His heart is before you to walk on; so you have totread carefully"

"I can avoid treading on it, can't I?" she said falling into the vein of in the world that by instinct Icould know is in danger, it would be your heart!"

"Ah,withyou wherever you go; hopping back and forward and sideways in everyconceivable way You ain tread on it for all your care;in the dark or in the light"

"I had no idea," she said "that I had taken such a responsibility on myshoulders when I said I would marry you"

"It is not thethat makes thetrouble!"

"I see!" she replied and was silent for a while Then she turned to meand said very sweetly: