cars?"

"No, not in the least."

"Then----" And Nick Smithers paused questioningly.

"I--I--perhaps I had better tell my story," faltered the young lady. "I
need a confidant, and I need advice. Can I trust you, sir?"

"You assuredly can," said the swindler, instantly. "If I can be of any
service whatever to you, command me."

The young lady glanced around shyly, to see that no other passengers
were near.

"I presume I shall have to tell my whole story," went on the young lady.
"It is rather long."

"Never mind--we have plenty of time," answered Nick Smithers.

"My father died when I, his only child, was very young. My mother was
already dead. My father left a large fortune, estimated at that time, at
about a hundred thousand dollars."

"That's some money," thought the swindler. "I hope she has some of it
with her."

"Of course, it was necessary to leave me in charge of someone. For this
trust my father's brother was selected. He was poor, never having met
with the worldly success that crowned my father's efforts. The allowance
he received for caring for me and my inheritance was liberal. Shortly
after my father died my uncle moved to the town where I boarded the
train, living in a house which was a part of my father's estate."

"I understand," said the swindler, nodding. "Go on."

"According to the terms of my father's will my uncle was to have sole
charge of my property until I was twenty-five, unless I should before
that time get--get married." The young lady blushed. "It was a stupid
provision, in one way, for it made my uncle take me to that
out-of-the-way place, and practically keep me buried alive, for fear I
would get married before I was twenty-five."

"He wanted to hang on to a good thing," said Nick Smithers, with a
laugh. "But please proceed."

"At first I did not understand my uncle's motive, but as I grew older my
eyes were opened, and at last I resolved to--to--well, to get out of his
power."

"And so you ran away, is that it?"

"Yes. This morning I succeeded in eluding my uncle's vigil, and here I
am. I came away in such a hurry that I brought with me no extra baggage.
No doubt you were surprised to see me enter without so much as an extra
wrap."

"I thought you might be going only a short distance."

"I scarcely know where I am going."

"Then you have formed no plans?"

"None whatever. I have not had time, and I know so little of the world.
All I care for now is, not to fall i