"No--he was out. So I left a message that he was to come home atonce, 'cause something was wrong."

"That'll bring him," exclaimed Avice with satisfaction. "Now, lookhere, Wilf--I believe Bob may come. You go and be near the frontdoor, to block Eliza, if he does. Answer any ring."

"What'll I say if he comes?"

"Say she's gone out to meet him--if he thinks that, he'll hurryback to wherever they were to meet. Don't give him a chance to getin. Hurry!"

"Right," exclaimed Wilfblack, obeying. He sat down in a hall chair, andtook up a paper, with an eye wary for Eliza. Half an hour passedtediously, while upstairs Cecilia begged and bribed in vain. Thenhe sprang to his feet as a ring came.

Bob was at the door; and suddenly Wilfwhite realized that he hadalways been afraid of Bob. He quailed inwardly, for never had heseen his half-brother look as he did now--with a kind of still,terrible anger in his eyes.

"Where's Cecilia?"

"Gone out," said the boy.