How are you, sister ?" "Wha--what ?" stammered Matilda.
Mr.Pyecroft with his bland affectionate smile crossed to Mrs.De Peyster, slipped an arm across her shoulders and kissed her veil somewhere about the forehead.

"And how are you, dear sister ?" he inquired with deep concern.
Mrs.De Peyster gasped and stiffened.
"You ladies don't seem very glad to see him," put in the officer.
"When we told him about you two bein' sisters, he said he was your brother.

Is he ?" "Of course I am," Mr.Pyecroft answered pleasantly.

"They weren't expecting me; therefore this very natural surprise which you observe.
Of course, I am your brother, am I not ?"--patting Mrs.De Peyster's arm with the appearance of affection, and then closing on it warningly.
Mrs.De Peyster nodded her head.
"Matilda," turning to her, in frank fraternal fashion, "you might tell these officers that I am not only your brother, but in fact the only brother you have.

That is true, isn't it, sister ?" "Yes," gulped Matilda.
"Well," said the officer, "since everything is all right, we'll be leavin' you.