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 "I think you would if you knew positively. I'm not sure you would tell me what you thought likely."

Again she tried to go on.

"Miss Hayes, do you want me to find Elise?"

"I want her to be found."

"Will you tell me everything you know bearing on the situation?"

She shook her head.

"Then," he said, firmly, "I think we'll break your three-year contract with the school. If you and I can't work together we won't try."

"You dismiss me?"

"Yes." There was a tense silence, and then he added: "It may be just as well for you, anyhow. Mr. Johns is in there and threatens to ruin the school within a week."

"Does he, indeed?" said Miss Hayes, with a movement of her head, and disappeared instantly into Miss Curtis's study.

Austin went back to his own cottage. It was the first instant he had been alone, and he wanted, since he was evidently to play his hand unaided, to think over the facts. He meant to find Elise before he slept that night. He meant to find her before George or Miss Hayes or Mr. Johns did, and yet