always
came back to the jury room. Our drive, for the most part, was a silent
one. At length we turned back and as we walked up the steps of Mary's
home, her father came from the house with a newspaper in his hand.

"This is terrible, Warren."

"What is it?" I cried, reaching for the sheet.

It was an extra edition of _The Press_, our only respectable paper. In
black head-lines, I read the words:

"SOCIETY LEADER INDICTED FOR
HUSBAND'S MURDER!"

Then underneath in small type:

"Frank Woods, Well Known Business Man, Released on $10,000 Bail."

Helen and Frank Woods had both been indicted.

CHAPTER TWELVE

WHO AM I

I jumped into the automobile and drove as fast as I could to the
offices of Simpson and Todd, the best criminal lawyers in the state, to
retain them as council for Helen. Simpson had already gone home, but
George Todd was there, and I talked the case over with him.

"You can get a stay of proceedings, can't you?" I asked.

"Surely," he replied. "I'll see that the warrant isn't served until
Mrs. Felderson's doctor assures me she is out of danger. The trial
needn't come off for three or four months--six if you wish. We can see
to that. In the meantime, when will you be able to see Mrs. Felderson?"

"I was going up there now," I answered. "The chances are the doctor
won't let me question her yet, but it may be we can see her. Will you
come with me?"

"I'd like very much to. Wait till I get my coat!"

We ran up to the hospital and asked if we could be admitted if only for
a few moments to Mrs. Felderson's room. Johnson, the little interne
with the glasses, had just come in, and when he heard my request he was
splutteringly indignant.

"What the devil do you think Mrs. Felderson is suffering from, a broken
ankle? Don't you realize she has been desperately ill? If you tried
to question her now, she'd become excited and it might result in a
serious relapse. Of course you can't see her! You won't be able to
talk to her for two or three weeks yet."

"I'm sorry," I said, "I should have known better. It was stupid of me,
but then, I've been little else than stupid for days. This tragedy has
been too much for me. You will let me know as soon as she can be seen,
won't you, Johnson?"

"I'll let you know," he murmured. "You may be able to _see_ her
to-morrow, but I won't let you bother her with any infernal questions
until she is well."

The week passed only too slow