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164 full-force against the door. With a splintering crash it broke inward, and without dignity or decorum he sprawled on all fours into the presence of Judith Trine.

Picking himself awkwardly up, Alan flushed crimson with embarrassment to find himself confronting this woman who had come so unwillingly to accord him her love and had fought so passionately to win him from her sister.

For her part, Judith laughed mockingly.

"Poor Mr. Law! Always disappointed. Believe me, I am sorry, for once, it is I and not Rose whom you find locked up here! For I am locked up by way of punishment—thanks to my having had pity on you once too often—while my father decamped mysteriously for parts unknown."

"You don't know where he's gone, then?"

"Do you?" she asked sharply.

"In a general way, by special train to the West" "Taking Rose?"

"So I'm told."

The woman choked upon her anger, but quickly mastered it.

"He shall pay for this!" she asseverated.

"Your father? I wish him nothing more nor less than your enmity," Alan assured her civilly. "But since it seems that he has gone, and Rose with him, if you'll forgive me, I think I'll be going"