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 Courncey and Fanshaw concerning your dinner episode." Her face hardened as she said the words, "If you will remember, I warned you that very afternoon to let matters drop between you and that impostor. But, to continue. You must release Morton at once. He knows too much for you to try to hold him. You must be repentant, humble. You must appeal to his chivalrous nature to save appearances for you. I think we can withdraw those wretched letters of Valdeck's from publicity. Then, to the outer world your attitude must be that of 'injured angel.' Valdeck interested you in what you thought a noble charity. You wanted to help—your interest in slum-work is well known"—Mrs. Ford sniffed as she referred to her ward's spasmodic and fashionable zeal for the water-front and the Bowery. "And now, I have the one great piece of luck to tell you of—the thing that saves you—the only thing that could have saved you. Valdeck left a confession exonerating Victoria, and incidentally you."

Philippa gasped and sat up. "He's escaped 290