to tell you something. I have
been to see Paul."

"Been to see Paul! Where? When?"

"I went to see him in prison."

Her father seemed to be staggered by the thought.

"You went to see the prisoner?" he said. Even yet he could not call
him by the name that was so dear to him. The legal formulae were
almost a habit with him.

"I went to see Paul," she said.

"Why?"

"I went to tell him that I loved him," she replied simply. "I knew
what he must be suffering, and I know that he loves me, because he told
me so. And I wanted to comfort him. I wanted to assure him that all
would be well."

The judge started back as though someone had struck him. "You love----"

"Yes," she interrupted. "I told him so, too. I never loved Mr.
Wilson, father. You know I didn't. I had not thought that I really
cared for anyone until, until----"

"But you love Paul Stepaside?"

The words came from him as if mechanically. Indeed, he had no
knowledge that he had uttered them.

"I do," she replied. "And when he's at liberty I shall be his wife."

For a moment the judge rocked to and fro like a drunken man, and then,
staggering towards a chair, fell into it, and covered his face with his
hands.

"Father!" cried the girl. "Did you not guess?"

"Oh, my God, that I should suffer this too! I never thought, I never
dreamt----"

"I know that Paul is shielding someone," went on the girl presently.
"He did not do this. He could not do it. He is utterly incapable of
it! You see that's why I am so certain. And I'm going to find out who
did it. Do you understand, father? That's why I wanted to speak to
you to-night. You must give me time. You can make the case last for
days, if you want, and I'm going to find out who did it. He's hiding
someone."

The judge lifted his head, and in his eyes was a gleam of hope.

"You believe this, Mary?" he said.

"I am sure of it!" she replied. "You can do this to help me, can't
you?"

"But, my child, don't you see the utter hopelessness of it? You must
not love Paul Stepaside. You dare not! Why--why----"

"But I do dare," replied the girl. "This charge is nothing to me. He
is not guilty, and I love him. Don't you see, father? And I'm going
to save him. And you must give me time. Make the case drag on,
father. Of course, it will be suffering for him, but I cannot help
that. When I'm ready I'll let you know."

The judge sat for some minutes as though in deep thou