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already poisoned their minds against me.”
    Yolanda gave a little shiver.
    â€œIt all sounds unpleasant, underhand and illegal.”
    â€œOfficially there is nothing illegal about this,” her stepfather retorted, “and what you have to do is very simple and will not be known to anyone.”
    He dropped his voice.
    â€œNeither my secretary nor my attorney, who will be travelling with me, will know when I go to see the ship owners.”
    â€œI am very sorry, Stepfather,” sighed Yolanda.  “I know that Mama would think it wrong.”
    â€œYour mother, whom I adored, knew nothing about business.  And, as you well know, she would have done anything to help and support me if I had asked her to do so.”
    This Yolanda could not deny, so she replied,
    â€œIt is something my father would never do because he would consider it as bad as cheating at cards.”
    â€œIf your father had cheated a little, he would have been a far richer man when he died!”
    As Yolanda was silent, he said after a moment,
    â€œNow stop talking nonsense.  Here is the key to Mr. Harpole’s despatch case.”
    He took a key from a drawer on his desk and held it out to her.
    Yolanda shook her head.
    â€œI am sorry, Step-papa, but I cannot do something that I am sure would shock every respectable person I have ever known.  It would make me feel like I had committed an unforgiveable sin.”
    For a second Mr. Garrack just stared at her.
    â€œIf that is to be your attitude then, of course, I must respect it.  But I can only hope that you will find a situation where you can express your principles without upsetting anyone.”
    His eyes flickered over her before he added,
    â€œYou are a very pretty girl and doubtless someone will employ you just for your looks rather than your brains.  But in the meantime until you find a suitable position, you may be somewhat uncomfortable and perhaps hungry.”
    Now Yolanda understood what he was saying and she gave a little gasp.
    â€œAre you telling me, Step-papa, that if I do not do this for you, you will turn me out and do nothing for me?”
    â€œI have done a great deal for you already, Yolanda, as you well know, but if you are not prepared to pay back in a small way what I have spent on you, I see no reason why I should spend any more.”
    â€œBut you know quite well that I have no money and nowhere to go!”
    Mr. Garrack turned towards his writing desk.
    â€œThat is not my business, but I daresay your mother would be most upset at your walking the streets without a chaperone and with nowhere to lay your head.”
    Yolanda gave a little cry.
    â€œHow can you be so unkind?  You know how much it would upset Mama!”
    â€œIt upsets me too,” he replied.  “At the same time it is impossible for us to live here together if you disapprove so much of me and my methods.  I think you are ungrateful and in some ways offensive.”
    Yolanda realised that he had won the battle.
    So, in a small voice that he could hardly hear, she murmured,
    â€œVery well, Step-papa.  You know that I am unable to fight you, so you win.  I will do what you tell me to do.”
    â€œI thought you would see sense.”
    He picked up the key he had put on the edge of his desk and handed it to her.
    Yolanda took it from him.
    â€œNow there is no reason, Yolanda, for us to speak of this again.  You know what you have to do and we will behave as if this conversation has never taken place.”
    He rose from his desk.
    â€œActually I had a present for you on your return and I think it is something you should come and see.”
    â€œWhat is it, Step-papa?” Yolanda was forced to ask.
    â€œIt is an outstanding present, which I am told has Arab blood in his veins and will require riding by someone who is a good equestrian besides a lover of horses.”
    Yolanda’s heart gave a leap.
    â€œA new