Jasper, and wondered how he was bearing himself in his lonely
cell. She longed to speak to him and tell him of the discovery she had
made. She knew that his mental suffering must be great, and she did
want to help him to bear his trouble.

Lois learned from her father and Dick upon their arrival from the city
what a strong feeling was abroad against Jasper. People condemned him
in no measured language, and denounced him as a dastardly villain who
deserved the severest punishment. Mr. Sinclair told of the
conversation he had with several people along the road, and how all
were loud in their severe denunciations. Even the city papers,
following the popular cry, had editorials about the murder. Though
they did not mention Jasper by name, yet their allusions were so
pointed that no one could mistake their meaning. All united in
condemning the criminal and declaring that the deed was all the more
abhorrent owing to the age of the murdered man and the friendly
relations which had existed between him and his suspected assailant.

All this was very hard for Lois to endure. It annoyed her to think how
willing people were to condemn a man and judge him worthy of death
before he had received a fair trial. She had a secret satisfaction,
however, in the information Andy and Betty had imparted to her. It
buoyed her up with the hope that it would greatly assist in freeing
Jasper and clearing him entirely from all blame. It was only natural
that she should desire to see the ones who condemned him so severely
put to an ignominious silence. She smiled almost bitterly as she
thought how they would come about Jasper with their smooth, oily words
of congratulation when he again came into their midst.

In the morning Lois went to the city with her father and Dick. She
enjoyed the ride in the fresh air and she was somewhat sorry when she
alighted from the car in front of her father's office. Dick wanted to
drive her around to Mr. Westcote's house as he was most anxious to see
Margaret. He had not met her for two days, and to him it seemed a very
long time. But as Lois had some shopping to do, she preferred to walk.

"I'll be around this afternoon, though," Dick told her.

"Oh, I know you will," was the laughing reply. "Shall I tell her?"

"Yes, do, Lois. She's great, isn't she?"

"She certainly is, Dick. But I must hurry away now," she added as she
saw that her brother was anxious to talk more about Margaret.

It d