“I don't know,” she answered. “I hope it may not be serious at all, Mr. Knowles.”

I interrupted. “Mr. Knowles!” I repeated. “Whew! this IS a formal interview. I thought the 'Mr. Knowles' had been banished along with 'Uncle Hosea'.”

She smiled slightly then. “Perhaps it has,” she said. “I am just a little troubled—or puzzled—and I have come to you for advice.”

“Advice?” I repeated. “I'm afraid my advice isn't worth much. What sort of advice do you want?”

“I wanted to know what I should do in regard to an invitation I have received to motor with Doctor Bayliss—Doctor Herbert Bayliss. He has asked me to go with him to Edgeboro to-morrow. Should I accept?”

I hesitated. Then: “Alone?” I asked.

“No. His cousin, Miss Tomlinson, will go also.”

“I see no reason why you should not, if you wish to go.”

“Thank you. But suppose it was alone?”

“Then—Well, I presume that would be all right, too. You have motored with him before, you know.”