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 "You need give no further proof, if you have any," he said. "I know Uncle Morris and Fanshaw too well."

"You called me to account," Mrs. Durham went on. "I have made good my statements. Now let me appeal to you. You have lost Philippa, do you want to lose Victoria, too? Help us to clear up this horrid slander! I think if we all use our personal influence, we can turn the cogs of this slow, legal machinery with much greater speed. We can have a closer watch put upon Valdeck, and employ our own detective, if necessary. Now, we've worked it out this way—your uncle and I. We think that Valdeck has something vital on foot now, and so could not change his plans. He tried to countermine Victoria when he saw that she recognized him, solely to gain time. It was playing a dangerous game, so the time needed must have been only comparatively short, and the stake large. Now it's three weeks since information was laid against him. Things must be coming to a head, and he must not give us the slip. You understand?"

"Well put, very well put!" Mr. Courncey ex- 254