observing you and wondering lately. You seemed to have something depressing on your mind, and it wasn't all Chartres either. What is it—domestic difficulties? Don't tell me if you don't want to, but I don't think you have many intimates—I work you too hard—and it's a bad thing for a man to brood too much alone."
Dudley looked at his uncle in some surprise. He had always regarded Sanford Drake as his hard-headed, business-only employer. Never before had the old man indicated in any way that there was any blood relationship between them. But it was quite evident that the elder Drake's interest was kindly intended and probably his advice would be valuable. Dudley forgot his new-gained riches and thought of Carmelita and the manner in which he had last left her. He was thoroughly ashamed of himself.
On an impulse he told his uncle all about the misunderstanding with her and his suspicions and the manner in which they had been virtually separated since her leasing of the Long Island summer home. Dudley did not spare himself in the slightest in this frank recital but he did not mention the name of Rao-Singh. He had an instinctive desire to protect Carmelita, to minimize her own selfishness and possible blame in the whole matter, and to
