him go. Paula turned to Mrs. Marsh who,
overcome with emotion, was weeping bitterly. Tod putting his arm around
her, attempted to comfort her, while Paula knelt by her side.

"In order to protect themselves," said Paula gently, "these men have
accused you. We can't reach them without hurting you. Isn't that what
Mr. Cooley meant, Mr. Ricaby?"

"Yes," replied the lawyer grimly.

"They will accuse you of conspiring with them, too! Oh, that's
horrible!"

"We'll be all right, Paula," said Tod reassuringly.

"Yes, but they may believe this man Cooley. They may believe my uncle.
They may put your mother in prison!"

"We must prosecute them, Paula," insisted Mr. Ricaby. "We cannot
compound a felony even if----"

"Yes," she retorted, "but why should the innocent suffer for the guilty?
Why should--Tod----Why should he suffer? No, I won't appear against
them-- I refuse! Do you hear, Mr. Ricaby, I won't!"

"They can't do anything to us, Paula," said Tod. "We shall be all right.
They must be punished as a warning to others-- I don't feel so hard
against Marsh--but Cooley--he's the real criminal."

"He must go to prison," insisted Mr. Ricaby. "Marsh is only a
figurehead--but Cooley represents the System--an iniquitous organization
of crooks----"

"What do I care for the System and warning to others if he is to suffer,
too?" retorted Paula. "No, I--I care only for----"

She stopped suddenly, and her face flushed and then turned pale. She
realized that she was betraying herself, but Tod had heard the
exclamation. Silently he pressed her hand and she returned the pressure.
Without exchanging a word they understood each other.

"Mr. Chase," said Mr. Ricaby, "will you pardon me a moment? I wish to
speak to Miss Marsh alone."

"Certainly," he replied. "Come, mother, we'll prosecute those men, and
she will appear against wait out there----"

"Do whatever you think is right, Mr. Ricaby," said Mrs. Marsh.

"Whatever is right," he echoed; "that shall be to them----"

When they had disappeared, Paula said quickly:

"No, I will not-- I refuse."

"You must!" insisted the lawyer, unwilling to be balked of his prey now
in his hour of triumph.

"No," she said firmly, "it's only revenge you want--revenge--on----"

"Revenge on whom?" he demanded.

"You hated him from the very first," she cried.

"Hated whom?"

"Tod----"

"Always that man!" cried the lawyer impatiently. "You think of no one
else. Ah, you love him! Tell