They came in looking charming, and in the best of spirits. It needed but a glance for Dr. Jim to see that Bess had said nothing about Joyce to her brother or sister. What a wise little woman she was! When Ida and Frank had seated themselves beside Stephen, Jim drew her into a remote corner of the room.
"You said nothing about our adventure of to-day," he whispered.
"No," she replied in the same tone, "I thought it best not to. And Mr. Joyce?"
"You will not be troubled with him again. He has gone to town. I do not think he will come back. Santiago has gone also."
"What about his threat against me?"
"That is alright. I have his confession in my pocket."
"Did he kill Colonel Carr?"
"No! I have not yet solved that problem. But do not let us talk of these unpleasant things any more Bess. To-morrow you shall know all. In the meantime make yourself agreeable to me and tell me how much you love me. Come now. After this afternoon you cannot deny----"
"I neither deny nor affirm," said Bess her face one glow of scarlet--but that might have been the fire---"you were not in earnest to-day."
"Indeed I was. Can't you see that I love you with my whole heart and soul! I never knew until to-day how much I did love you."