"Known as his daughter?" Jim stammered. "Billie is his daughter, damn it! There ain't no other young woman——"
"'Billie'?" repeated North sharply. "A derivative, no doubt. That is significant. I should like very much to see this Miss 'Billie'——"
"Then you've only got to turn your head!" A clear young voice sounded from the doorway, and the attorney wheeled to confront the object of his quest.
"Lord, Billie, where'd you vamoose to? The whole town's been askin' for you for the last three days!" Jim remembered his manners. "This is Mr. North. He's a lawyer and he says he's got some news for you."
Billie shook hands gravely.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. North."
"And I to meet you, my dear young lady. I have had a long search for you."
"Do you mean——" her eyes were wide—"that you've come all the way down here just to see me?"
He smiled.
"I have been searching for you for more than two years. There are some questions I must ask you. Can we talk here privately without interruption, Mr. Baggott?—No, don't go!" as Jim started for the door. "As the chief executor of—ah, Gentleman Geoff, you are presumably this young lady's de-facto guardian and your presence is imperative."