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Rh expected the interruption and secondly because he had no business to be in the mansion. He gave one look at Ben and then rushed out into the hallway and left the premises with all possible speed.

As soon as the Cossack was gone the young lady and Ben stared at each other. She started to speak, but stopped suddenly.

"Excuse me for coming in as I did, but I thought it was necessary," said the young captain. "I guess that fellow had no business here."

"You are right, sir. Papa is away, and he wanted me to give him money. He must have known I was alone in the house."

"Are you Miss Chase?"

"I am. But you have the advantage of me."

"I know it. I am Captain Benjamin Russell. Perhaps you know an old friend of mine, Gilbert Pennington. He knows your father, I believe."

"Oh, yes, I have met Captain Pennington. They tell me he is now in the Japanese army."

"He is." Ben paused and looked at the young lady keenly. "Miss Chase, can I trust you?" he asked, abruptly.

"What do you mean?"

"I will tell you," and in a few brief words he related his story, to which Grace Chase listened with close attention.