Beyond question poor Helene was the victim of blackmail; that was the logical explanation of her ill-concealed anxiety--misery, no doubt! He wished she had had the courage to come directly to him, but it was idle to expect the resolution of a woman of thirty in a child of twenty.
It was apparent that she had even tried to shield her mother, for that Madame Delano had been caught unaware to-day was indisputable.
What incredible impudence--or courage ?--to return here! There were other resorts in the South and on the Eastern Coast where a pretty girl might reap the harvest of innocent and lovely youth.
Once more his mind abruptly focused itself.
Shortly after his marriage Madame Delano had asked him casually if he could inform her as to the reliability of a certain firm of lawyers, Lawton, Cross and Co.

She "thought of buying a ranch," and the firm had been suggested to her by some one or other of these rich people.

She also wished to make a will.
He had replied as casually that it was a leading firm, and forgotten the incident promptly.

He recalled now that several times he had seen his mother-in-law coming out of the Monadnock Building, where this firm had its offices.

He had upon one occasion met her in the lift and she had explained with unaccustomed volubility that she was still thinking of buying a ranch, possibly in Napa County.