Mr. Ricaby entered the room hurriedly. His face was serious and his manner . Paula advanced eagerly to meet him.  
"Bad news!" he began. "That which I feared has happened."
 
The young girl turned pale.
 
"You mean that we have lost?"
 
The lawyer sank wearily into a chair, and in a tone of utter discouragement went on:
 
"Yes—we've lost! I did all I could. The court allows that you were born in wedlock—oh, yes—that much they admit. Also that your father was not insane when he made his will—very kind of them—and that you, his daughter, may inherit his estates—but——"
 
"But what?" she demanded anxiously.
 
The lawyer looked at her in silence. He hesitated to let her know the worst all at once. Slowly he said:
 
"Your uncle—is appointed your and during your minority, and that means he[Pg 113] will have complete control of you—and of your money——"
 
"My uncle?" she cried in dismay. "Oh, Mr. Ricaby—couldn't you have prevented that?"
 
He shook his head. Then, jumping to his feet, and pacing the floor , he exclaimed angrily:
 
"How can one man cope with a gang of or break up a well-organized System? Bascom Cooley, your uncle's lawyer, is a prominent member of the inner political ring which controls everything. He presented his petition to a judge who received his appointment from this very organization. It was a foregone conclusion what the outcome would be. Now we're no better off than before. The granting of the petition will give your uncle complete control of your fortune."
 
Paula looked at him blankly. This was too much. Her patience was almost . She had borne everything patiently up to now, but this new insult went too far. Tears started to her eyes, and, stamping her foot angrily, she cried:
 
"He shan't have my father's money to how and on whom he pleases! On that I'm . I'll give it away— I'll— Oh! surely something can be done!"
 
Mr. Ricaby his shoulders.
"I'm afraid not," he answered. "Your uncle is in the hands of an unscrupulous gang. He has spent money like water to break the will. His lawyers resorted to every device under a loosely constructed legal jurisprudence. Where did the money come from? Your uncle didn't have it. His marriage to Mrs. Chase—an widow with an extravagant son—used up all the money he had. This is Cooley's venture—and Cooley never goes into anything unless he's sure of results."
 
"And they have won!" she exclaimed.
 
The lawyer nodded.
 
"They have absolute control of you—and your money——"
 
"Can't anything be done?" cried the young girl, her hands in despair. "Can't you do something? Surely I have some rights. Can't you try?—can't you?"
 
The lawyer was silent for a moment. Then he said thoughtfully:
 
"I could retain ex-Senator Wratchett—but he would ask twenty-five thousand dollars in advance. He's not as good a lawyer as Cooley, but he has more pull." Excitedly he went on: "Ah! that's what we want, Paula—political pull! My God! What a life is! When I was a minister of the Gospel I was a dreamer, howling for purity and truth. Now I'm awake, with my feet on the earth. I'm praying for a and a trickster to come and help us out—and cursing myself because I haven't the money to buy him——"
 
"Twenty-five thousand dollars!" she echoed helplessly. With a bitter laugh she went on: "I my last ring this morning to pay Mrs. Parkes the money I owed her. You gave the Judge the whole history of the case—you told him how my uncle has stood in the way of my getting my rights for two years—you told him that he is my worst enemy?"
 
"Yes—everything."
 
"And yet he appointed him my custodian and guardian?"
 
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders. Dryly he replied:
 
"He belongs to the same political organization as Cooley. In this State," he went on, "in order to get the , a judge or his friends are expected to contribute a large sum of money to the campaign fund—the idea is that he owes something to the men who pay that money for him, that he must show some to those who nominate and elect him—fine , eh? I think I'll go back to the pulpit——"
 
"Can my uncle compel me to live with him?" demanded Paula.
 
"Yes," he replied. "I'm afraid so."
 
The girl jumped up, her hands , her face flushed with anger. Hotly she cried:
 
"I won't—I won't—live with him! I hate that vulgar, showy woman—his wife! She at me in court because I cried when they said my father drank himself to death. I hate that foolish, son of hers—I hate them all! They've spoiled my life, they've robbed me of the joy of youth. I'm old before my time! My God! I'm not twenty, and I feel worn out. It's a shame the way they've hounded me, but I won't give in—I won't——"
 
"Come, come, Paula," said the lawyer . "I feel just as badly as you do about it—I——"
 
He stopped and looked out of the window.
 
Paula watched him in silence. Something within told her that if this man felt bitter under defeat, it was more for her sake than for his own.
 
"Go on," she said, more gently.
 
"I don't see that we can do anything more just now," he continued. "The fact is, I'm a bit bewildered. I'm simply !" Hesitatingly, he went on: "I feel I'm to blame to a certain extent.[Pg 117] I don't think I quite understand my profession. There are so many laws—so many loopholes to the law—so many ramifications—so many . It's all law—law—law—nothing but law—the question of and justice is completely lost sight of in the of procedure—the letter of the law is there, but the spirit is wanting!"
 
Sitting down, he buried his face in his hands, the picture of utter discouragement.
 
Paula approached and laid a hand on his shoulder.
 
"It's not your fault, Mr. Ricaby," she said . "You've done your best, but just think! To be compelled to live with my uncle, the man who destroyed my father's memory, who my mother! Oh, it's—it's ! No, they shan't compel me—I defy them—I defy the law! What do you advise?"
 
The lawyer shook his head.
 
"You will gain nothing by openly defying them," he said. "When in doubt—wait! Meantime I'll go and see ex-Senator Wratchett. Perhaps I can interest him in our behalf. I'll move Heaven and earth to get him—set a thief to catch a thief, eh? Oh, it's a glorious game! God knows I've tried to be fair!"
 
They were so busy talking that they did not hear a timid knock on the door. Mrs. Parkes put her head in.
 
"A gentleman to see Miss !" she said, holding out a card.
 
Paula's face brightened and then grew serious as she caught sight of the name on the bit of pasteboard.
 
"It's Mr. Chase," she said, turning to the lawyer. "He hasn't been here for an age. I'm surprised he has called so soon after the of the decision. Do you think I should receive him?"
 
Mrs. Parkes seemed surprised that there should be any question about it.
 
"He came in a beautiful motor car!" she exclaimed. "Oh, what a magnificent machine! Royal blue color and such a handsome uniform the has——"
 
Mr. Ricaby frowned. He had never approved of this friendship with a young man whose he had reason to suspect very strongly. His calling so soon after the verdict was certainly not in the best of taste. It was more than likely that he was a spy sent by the ingenious Mr. Cooley to ferret out their plan of action. Mr. Chase had been very and to them in Paris and during the voyage home, but all that might be only[Pg 119] part of the game. On the other hand, if it was a prearranged plan it would work both ways. With a little careful they, too, might be able to find out from Tod what new the enemy was working on. So, on second thoughts, it might be well to encourage his visits.
 
"Tell him to come up," he said to the .
 
Mrs. Parkes bounced out, and a moment later Tod entered.
 
"I hope I don't intrude," was his cheery greeting.
 
"Not at all," replied Paula, somewhat coldly. "Won't you sit down?" she said.
 
He took a seat and drew off his gloves. Affably, he said:
 
"Thanks—yes. I'll even take a cup of tea if you'll ask me. When I once get started on a proposition I go right round the course—even with a tire." Turning to the lawyer, he went on: "Say, Mr. Ricaby—I just heard that the case has gone against you. That's fierce! I've come to have a little family talk-fest."
 
He stopped and looked at his hostess and the lawyer. Both remained silent and non-committal. With a of his shoulders, he continued:
 
"No answer? Well, then, I'll talk to myself, and you can listen till you feel like joining in——"
 
"Are you here at the request of your stepfather?" interrupted Mr. Ricaby coldly.
 
The young man gave him a look that was intended to be . he knew that Mr. Ricaby was no friend of his, and perhaps he guessed the reason. But he did not come to see the lawyer. He liked Paula and was sincerely sorry for her. He did not propose to be out of his newly made friendship by the suspicion of a jealous rival. Sharply he retorted:
 
"No. I am here at my own request. I'm sorry for this little girl. I saw her in court several times when they were trying to break the will, and my heart went out to her. I want to help her. Oh, I know I don't look like anybody's friend. I'm fat—I'm selfish—and I love myself to —and all that, but—I give you my word I felt sorry for her. I'll never forget her face the day she testified. whiz! Cooley laid it onto Uncle John—your father I mean—didn't he? It wasn't right—I felt sorry, and I told Jimmy so. Miss Marsh, believe it or not—I'm here to express myself as disgusted with the methods my folks have employed to get ............