Mr. Ricaby was not mistaken when he said that Bascom Cooley never admitted defeat and would stop at nothing to gain his ends. The situation, as far as Jimmy and Cooley were concerned, was certainly desperate. Even in the short time that Jimmy had had Paula's fortune under his control, he had so mismanaged it—to employ only a polite term—as to make his little short of a scandal. Wall Street, race horses, and the card table had already swallowed a considerable part of the Marsh millions, and that a goodly share of the money had gone to Jimmy's unscrupulous lawyer no one could doubt. A day of reckoning must come sooner or later.  
Both men knew this well, and Mr. Cooley also knew that whatever exposure and punishment awaited the 's uncle would also himself. The important thing, therefore, was to put off that day as long as possible, if not altogether, and the resourceful Cooley was not slow in hitting upon an idea. The girl, he said, must not be permitted[Pg 215] to claim her estate. In a few more weeks she would be of age and legally entitled to demand of her uncle an of his . There was no time to be lost. They must show that the girl was of taking care of her own affairs. Was not her conduct strange and eccentric enough to this belief? Had she not flatly refused to live with her uncle, preferring the small, uncomfortable quarters of a cheap boarding house to a in a fine residence? Did she not associate with , , and other ? Were there not that she had affianced herself to the almost imbecile son of her ? Had she not announced her intention to give all her money to these people, once it came into her possession? Was she not at all times highly nervous, , ? Did she act rationally? What were all these traits and but proof of an unsound mind?
 
It was a very sad state of affairs, of course, but the truth was that the young woman was mentally unbalanced and needed the rest cure. She should be sent somewhere where her special case could receive proper attention. At first Jimmy was staggered by this audacious proposal. There were some lengths to which even he hesitated to follow Cooley. But his resistance was not long lived. When[Pg 216] the lawyer, without words, showed him in what he stood and that this step was necessary if he wished to be spared the ignominy of wearing prison stripes, he gave way. The next question was the method of procedure. How could the girl be placed in an institution without regular commitment papers? Again, Mr. Cooley sprang into the . Dr. Zacharie would swear to anything for a consideration.
 
Mr. Cooley next went before a judge of a competent court, and petitioned for an order for the commitment to an of Paula Marsh, a and ward of his client, Mr. James Marsh, on the ground that she was of unsound mind and liable to do injury to someone. At the same time he submitted an sworn to by Dr. Zacharie, a recognized specialist in nervous and mental diseases, to the effect that on several occasions when he had observed and examined the said Paula Marsh, he had found her highly nervous and excitable and subject to hallucinations. On one occasion, in his presence, she had uttered threats of bodily violence against the said James Marsh. The court thereupon appointed physicians to examine the said Paula Marsh, the physicians being Dr. McMutrie, visiting of the State Asylum for the Insane, and Professor Bodley, a country[Pg 217] doctor recommended by Cooley. If in the opinion of these medical experts the girl was insane, commitment papers would be granted. Armed with this formidable of the court, Mr. Cooley gathered his forces and made his sudden raid on Mrs. Parkes' boarding house.
 
It was in vain that the landlady tried to bar the way. The burly lawyer, more aggressive than ever, now that he felt himself armed with the authority of the Court, roughly pushed his way in.
 
"Now, my good lady," he said , in a clumsy effort to be . "I will assume the entire responsibility and that ought to relieve you of any further anxiety."
 
"I know, sir," said Mrs. Parkes, "but Mr. Ricaby's orders——"
 
Paula had already taken refuge in her own room. tried to prevent Cooley's further entrance.
 
"Miss Marsh doesn't want to see you," he said. "Her orders were——"
 
Before he could complete what he was going to say the muscular Mr. Cooley gave him a push that nearly knocked him over.
 
"All orders are by an order of the court!" he retorted. Going back to the door, he called out to others waiting in the hall: "Come in, gentlemen!"[Pg 218]
 
A strange and procession filed into the . First came Dr. Zacharie, his swarthy face beaming with triumph. Behind him was Dr. McMutrie, the State Inspector, a smooth-faced keen-eyed man, and close at his heels Professor Bodley, a fat, asthmatic person with spectacles and side whiskers. Jimmy Marsh, feeling anything but at ease, brought up the rear. Solemn-faced and ominous-looking, the doctors stood in a row, waiting for further developments.
 
"This is an intrusion!" cried Mrs. Parkes.
 
"Nonsense!" retorted Mr. Cooley. Pointing to Jimmy Marsh he exclaimed: "This gentleman is appointed special and of the Marsh estate, and as such is empowered to take any steps he may deem necessary to effect an interview with his niece." Waving the other gentlemen to chairs, he said: "Sit down, gentlemen."
 
The doctors, thus invited, took chairs in a semi-circle on one side of the table. Dr. McMutrie, as head of the commission, sat in the centre. On his right was Dr. Zacharie and on his left Professor Bodley. Directly they were seated Dr. Zacharie put before his colleagues a number of papers which they proceeded to carefully.
 
Jimmy sat in a corner, twirling his thumbs while Mr. Cooley waited impatiently for Paula to come in. At last, his patience , he turned to the landlady. Pointing to the room on the left, he asked:
 
"Isn't that her room?"
 
"Yes, sir," replied Mrs. Parkes hesitatingly, "but——"
 
The lawyer advanced as if about to force his way in, but Harry Parkes sprang forward and barred the way. If ever there was an opportunity to display his devotion and , it was surely now.
 
"This is an unwarrantable intrusion!" he cried indignantly. "If you don't desist I—I shall call an officer!"
 
Mr. Cooley his shoulders contemptuously.
 
"Please do," he , "and I'll have you arrested for a special appointee of the court in the performance of his duty." Staring at Harry, he went on: "Let me see—you're the young chap who entertains the absurd notion of marrying Miss Marsh. You're Henry Parkes, are you not?"
 
Harry looked uncomfortable.
 
"Yes, sir."
 
"Well, let me inform you, Mr. Parkes," said the lawyer grimly, "that any marriage ceremony with[Pg 220] Miss Marsh, without the consent of her uncle, will not only be illegal, but it will also render you liable to for contempt of court."
 
"What!" cried Harry frightened. "Imprisonment!"
 
"!" rejoined the lawyer, "and I now notify you that until these gentlemen have whether Miss Marsh is competent to enter into a engagement, contract, or promise, any such engagement, contract, or promise is null and void and can in no way or manner become the basis for any legal action on your part. I think that will be about all." He coughed and looked around for .
 
"There is no promise," Harry terrified; "no engagement—nothing."
 
"No, sir," exclaimed Mrs. Parkes, with a low curtsy. "Indeed, there isn't."
 
"A very sensible way to look at it," replied the lawyer with a grim smile of satisfaction, "and now, my good lady, please tell Miss Marsh that we are waiting for her."
 
Jimmy Marsh came forward, his manner fidgetty and nervous.
 
"Perhaps my niece may not be quite prepared," he . "In that case you will tell her that we will wait for her."
 
"Quite so," chimed in Cooley. "That is—we'll wait a reasonable time."
 
"We'll be very gentle with her," added Jimmy considerately.
&............