"But some way, in climbing, Miss Cornish caught her high heel in the plush with which the seat is upholstered. The goods is frayed and old. The chair tipped, and they both came to the floor with a bang. Just as I sprang to catch her, something bright and round rolled out of the chair toward me and dropped right at my feet.
"It was that unlucky gold coin, which must have slipped under the plush in some way when you counted the money on it that night.
"It was so late when we were finally rescued that I could not keep my dinner engagement. I am glad for one reason; it gives me time to write this now. I know that it will make your Thanksgiving brighter to know this, and I am sure that it is needless for me to say that I never for an instant connected the disappearance of the coin with you in any way. I regret extremely the silly gossip that wounded you so sorely, and want to tell you how much I respect the manly way in which you have since met and answered it.
"Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving with your family, I am
"Sincerely your friend,
"Avery Windom."
"IT WAS THAT UNLUCKY GOLD COIN."
Philippa, watching his face as he read, came up to him when he had finished, and put a hand on each shoulder.