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 and her faith. She regained her strength at his offers of assistance. As he spoke, slowly, gently, commandingly, as she watched his handsome, mysteriously sentient face, some of his secret power went from him to her. The very strangeness of that face, with its oriental calm, with its oriental wisdom, with its beatific sympathy, gave her trust. She sat, so, watching him, one hand in Valeska's hand, till he had finished.

One question, however, before she left, he put in a way to renew her alarm. "Who is your cook?" he asked.

"Why, we've had her only about nine months; but she came recommended highly. Do you think—"

"Can you see to it that all his food is prepared under your personal supervision, or that he takes his lunches only at large, well-known restaurants?"

She thought she could do both.

"Be careful, then," he said. "And, for the last thing, find out all his movements in what detail you can, both in the past and in the future. Telephone me every day what he intends to do. And, by the way, what is the date set for the opening of the trial?"

"Next Monday."

"Then we haven't much time. But we'll win!"

As she left the great studio Valeska accompanied her to the outer door. Here she paused and clutched the girl's hand. "What did he mean about the cook?" she demanded. "Does he think it can be as bad as that,—that they would try poison?"

"Oh, he's only anxious to take all the precautions possible."

"Then I shall have to tell my husband I have been here."