“His question was—'are you going to marry Miss Dana?'”

“Preposterous!” cried Miss Dana. “I shall leave the 'Cawthorne' to-morrow. What answer did you give to so impertinent a question?”

“I said, not to-night. Not until to-morrow. Then I jumped in, slammed the door, and off we went leaving Mr. Cass fully informed as to my intentions.”

Mary thought, under the circumstances, that a change of subjects was necessary.

“I am working on the Harrison case. I don't believe he poisoned his wife. I think the law killed an innocent man.”

“Another Robert Wood affair? Have you seen your little namesake, Mary Wood?”

“Yes. I am going to spend to-morrow in the laboratory making toxic analyses.”

“I've been very busy to-day.”

“Not working?”

“No, getting ready to. I've bought out an established business.”