"And all the while that Barney and my father and the police have thought
you hiding some place in the West, you've been with the Sherwoods?"

"Yes. And I've got to remain in hiding until something happens that will
clear me. If the police or Barney and his friends learn where I am--you
can guess what will happen."

She nodded.

"Hunt got me here," he went on to explain. "I'm assisting in trying to
get the Sherwood business affairs in better shape. I might as well tell
you, Maggie," he added quietly, "that Dick Sherwood is my very good
friend."

"Dick Sherwood!" she breathed.

"And I might as well tell you," he went on, "that since that night at
the Grantham when I heard his voice, I've known that Dick is the sucker
you and Barney and Old Jimmie are trying to trim."

She half rose, and her voice sounded sharply: "Then you've got me caught
in a trap! You've told them about me?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Not so loud, or we may attract attention," he warned her. "I haven't
told because you had your chance to give me away to Barney that night at
the Grantham. And you didn't give me away."

She sank slowly back to the bench. "Is that your only reason?"

"No," he answered truthfully. "Exposing you would merely mean that you'd
feel harder toward me--and harder toward every one else. I don't want
that."

She pondered this a moment. "Then--you're not going to tell?"

He shook his head. "I don't expect to. I want you to be free to decide
what you're going to do--though I hope you'll decide not to go through
with this thing you're doing."

She made no response. Larry had spoken with control until now, but his
next words burst from him.

"Don't you see what a situation it's put me in, Maggie--trying to play
square with my friends, the Sherwoods, and trying to play square with
you?"

Again she did not answer.

"Maggie, you're too good for what you're doing--it's all a terrible
mistake!" he cried passionately. Then he remembered himself, and spoke
with more composure. "Oh, I know there's not much use in talking to you
now--while you feel as you do about yourself--and while you feel as you
do about me. But you know I love you, and want to marry you--when--" He
halted.

"When?" she prompted, almost involuntarily.

"When you see things differently--and when I can go around the world a
free man, not a fugitive from Barney and his gunmen and the police."

Again Maggie was silent for a moment. It was as if she were tr