"He has come to-day with another friend of yours," said Mrs. Harborough, lingering.

"One of the Helmstones?" I asked dully.

"No; Mr. Dallas."

Ranny! Ranny was downstairs. The happy, care-free people were going still about the world.

"Is he married?" I asked.

"Married?" Mrs. Harborough seemed surprised. Certainly, he seemed free to devote a great deal of time to us. Mr. Annan and he between them had left no means untried, she said.

"I have been told a thousand times," I interrupted, "that everything has been done, but no one ever tells me what." I fell to crying.

Looking more stirred than I had ever thought to see her, she told me that young Dallas had offered rewards, and had gone from place to place in search....

I seized her hands. I made her sit by the bedside.

Yes, and always he had come back here, making his report and asking questions.