Eva was beside herself with joy at the safe return of her father, and led him tenderly to his room and sent immediately for the doctor in order that he might not suffer from his exposure.

While this was going on at Brent Rock, Paul Balcom was rifling his father’s papers in the apartment where Balcom had lived.  He had unceremoniously thrown letters and documents all over the floor in his mad search for something.  Finally he found what he was looking for, and, smiling triumphantly as he read the paper, he thrust it into his pocket and hurriedly left the place, not stopping even to pick up the papers scattered all about.

Zita had evidently been watching the house, for no sooner had he left than she ran up the front steps of the Balcom apartment.

In some way she had procured a key and let herself in.  Then began a feverish search very similar to that which Paul had instituted.  Only, this time Zita picked up all the papers, arranging them and placing them back in the drawers, after scanning their contents.

She had almost finished when a small book lying in a distant corner of the room caught her eye.

At a glance she saw that it was a diary.  Turning the pages rapidly, she finally came to one over which she fairly gloated, for its information, sold to the proper parties, might make her independent for life.

Even as she was gloating over her find there came the sound of many feet in the front hallway.  Zita had no time to run out of the room before the door opened, giving entrance to six emissaries, surrounding her.

The emissaries locked all the doors and tramped out.  Only their leader remained for a moment to throw a parting shot.

“Remember,” he threatened, “this house is watched.  See that you act accordingly.  You will, if you know what’s good for you.”

Then he slammed the door and locked it behind him.

For a long time Zita sat there, too despairing to move.  Then her ear caught the sound of stealthy footsteps in the hall, and she ran and hid behind the portieres.  The door opened slowly and Paul stole again into the room.

Having nothing to fear from him, Zita came from her hiding-place and confronted him.  Paul was startled for a moment at her sudden appearance, but recovered himself on seeing that it was Zita.

The paper that he had stolen from his father’s desk had proved to him that Zita had become highly desirable, and he was not one to miss such an opportunity.

As he questioned her, Zita told him briefly her story, or, rather, such portions of it as she thought it desirable for him to know.  Paul, in turn, assured her of his undying friendship and something more.  His earnestness almost made it seem true, and he talked in his most fascinating and attractive manner.  He finally ended his conversation with a direct proposal of marriage.  But he had overstepped the mark and Zita was not to be fooled.