f it's
necessary--and will make Joe tell the truth. Do you know, he actually
had the impudence to try to persuade Ellen and me the next day that we
saw what the papers reported?"

"I believe it," said Victor. "So I believe that Joe convinced himself."

"You are too charitable," replied Jane. "He's afraid of his father."

"Miss Hastings," said Victor, "you suggested a moment ago that you
would influence your father to interfere in this matter of the
indictment."

"I'll promise you now that he will have it stopped," said Jane.

"You want to help the cause, don't you?"

Jane's eyes shifted, a little color came into her cheeks. "The
cause--and you," she said.

"Very well," said Victor. "Then you will not interfere. And if your
father talks of helping me you will discourage him all you can."

"You are saying that out of consideration for me. You're afraid I will
quarrel with my father."

"I hadn't thought of that," said Victor. "I can't tell you what I have
in mind. But I'll have to say this much--that if you did anything to
hinder those fellows from carrying out their plans against me and
against the League to the uttermost you'd be doing harm instead of
good."

"But they may send you to jail.... No, I forgot. You can give bail."

Victor's eyes had a quizzical expression. "Yes, I could give bail.
But even if I don't give bail, Miss Hastings--even if I am sent to
jail--Colman and I--still you must not interfere. You promise me?"

Jane hesitated. "I can't promise," she finally said.

"You must," said Victor. "You'll make a mess of my plans, if you
don't."

"You mean that?"

"I mean that. Your intentions are good. But you would only do
mischief--serious mischief."

They looked at each other. Said Jane: "I promise--on one condition."

"Yes?"

"That if you should change your mind and should want my help, you'd
promptly and freely ask for it."

"I agree to that," said Victor. "Now, let's get it clearly in mind.
No matter what is done about me or the League, you promise not to
interfere in any way, unless I ask you to."

Again Jane hesitated. "No matter what they do?" she pleaded.

"No matter what they do," insisted he.

Something in his expression gave her a great thrill of confidence in
him, of enthusiasm. "I promise," she said. "You know best."

"Indeed I do," said he. "Thank you."

A moment's silence, then she exclaimed: "That was why you let me in
to-day--because you wa