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Woods looked at the clock as she returned to her room, and it was then half-past eleven. This late visitor was Mrs. Madding, the wife of the village grocer, who was dangerously ill of typhoid fever. Dr. Lana had asked her to look in the last thing and let him know how her husband was progressing.
He spoke to Daunt and the two of them went to the divan and dragged on the overcoats which they had discarded when Rellihan's obstinacy had been found to be unassailable. Lana, studying the faces of the men, drew her furs about her. "The car is waiting near the west portico, father," she ventured to say. Corson took his time about buttoning his coat.
Lana did not disclose the fact that she had suggested to the mayor, in a way, the rabble as Morrison's probable destination, and that he had agreed with her. "And a fine chance he has of being let inside the State House," Tasper went on, with conviction, "after the attitude he has taken in regard to the administration!" "He may be there, nevertheless!"
"I hoped you were coming back just now, Stewart, and put out your hand to me as your friend, a good pal who had given sensible advice, and say to me, 'Lana, you have used your wits to good advantage while you have been out and about in the world, and your suggestions to me are all right. Aren't you going to say so, Stewart?"
If this hypothesis were correct, and someone was with Dr. Lana before Mrs. Madding met Mr. Arthur Morton, then who was this someone, and what motives had he for wishing evil to the doctor? It was universally admitted that if the friends of the accused could throw light upon this, they would have gone a long way towards establishing his innocence.
He stammered a bit, and there was not absolute candor in his eyes. "To tell the truth, Lana, I allowed myself to be taken up considerably with other matters. But I did remember my promise to hurry back to you, just the minute I could break away," he added, apologetically. "I'm a little disappointed in you, just the same, Stewart!
"What luck!" said Boyd, his handsome eyes fixed on Lana Helmer, who shot at him a glance as daring.
Lana had knelt, making a cup of her hand, and was drinking from the silvery thread of water at our feet. Now, as Boyd spoke, she straightened up and cast a shower of sparkling drops in his face, saying calmly that she prayed God he might have the like done for him when next he needed a cooling off. "Lanette," said he, disconcerted but laughing, "do you mean in hell or at the Iroquois stake?"
"A kind and unselfish heart is sound currency," said Lana smiling and turning her back on Boyd; which brought her to face Lois. "Do make a toast in verse for these importunate gentlemen," she said, "and bring the last laggard to your feet." "I?" exclaimed Lois in laughing surprise. Then her face altered subtly. "I may not dream to rival you in beauty. Why should I challenge you in wit?" "Why not?
"General Totten, if you don't fully comprehend your plain duty in this crisis, you'd better stop right here with me until you do. We can't afford to have those soldiers overhear. Are you going to order them to march out of this State House?" This peremptory gentleman was Stewart Morrison! Lana choked back what threatened to be an exclamation. "I refuse to take that responsibility on myself."
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