"I would have spoken of it, Margaret, but was hurt that
you had left our marriage certificate lying around so carelessly."
"Your what?" Barbara sprang up, astounded.
"Our marriage certificate," repeated McIntyre firmly. "Margaret
and I were married last week in Baltimore. We would have told you,
Helen, but your peculiar conduct and Barbara's, so angered me that
I forbade Margaret to take you into our confidence."
"Father!" Barbara got no further, for Helen had risen. She spoke
with quiet dignity.
"You forget, father, that since Monday night we have thought you
a forger and, worse, a murderer," her voice faltered. "In our
effort to guard you we have become estranged. Margaret"- she held
out her hand with an affectionate gesture and with a sob her
step-mother kissed her.
"How did this envelope get back inside our safe?" asked Kent a
moment later, picking it up and displaying the red seal, intact
save for the broken corner.
"I went downstairs about midnight or a little later and into the
library," confessed Helen.
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