upon Evalani and her child. And more strongly than ever was he inclined to the view that McKnight feared that his mother would adopt the child and thus cut him out of a possible inheritance, which easily accounted for Kat Morton's interest, if she were really engaged to McKnight, as report seemed to have it conclusively. This seemed to him the most logical solution to the mystery; and if it were true, then it behooved him to take good care of his self-assumed charges, since he was convinced that the persons involved were absolutely without compunction or conscience as long as their selfish interests were threatened by the continued life of the little boy. Of course he had found no opportunity to tell Evalani about his encounter with McKnight. At first he had intended to do so and had rather anticipated hearing her laughter at the fiasco; but now, in view of the still pending danger to her boy, he thought it wiser not to worry and frighten her by retailing the event; although for a moment he had contemplated it as a possible excuse for making a specific demand for an interview with her, on the score that he had information which it was necessary that she should know, in view of the safety of her child. He knew that this would bring about the desired conference, in the course of which he would have an opportunity to say the things which his very soul was crying out for her to understand;—but now that he had weighed the matter, he could
