"When I
say that there is a doubt of that it is simply to give myself one little
excuse for continuing to live. He did not move, he did not breathe. Ah,
yes, he was dead, quite dead."

There was silence for a moment while Betty thought rapidly. Amy and
Mollie and Grace stared wide-eyed with the feeling that they were
witnessing some tremendous, swift-moving drama.

"Of course," said the man, breaking the silence abruptly, his somber
eyes upon Betty, "there is but one thing left for me now to do. I shall
surrender to the authorities--a thing which I should have done long ago.
Or," he added grimly, "you might rather go with me now. If you left me I
might attempt to escape--so you will think, Mademoiselle?"

There was a lift at the end of the sentence that made it a question and,
startled, the girls looked at Betty to see what she would say.

The Little Captain herself was startled. Evidently the man thought they
had been tracking him, had used their knowledge to trap him.

"Oh, it isn't as you think!" she cried impulsively. "We never had the
slightest little wish to harm you. And please, please," she added
earnestly, "don't give yourself up to the authorities, or do anything
rash until you hear from me again. You may not believe me--I wouldn't
blame you if you didn't----" she went on shyly, for the man had risen
and was staring at her, "but all we want to do is to help you if we
can----" she broke off confusedly for the look in the man's eyes
silenced her.

"You know I am Paul Loup," he cried hoarsely. "You have heard my story,
my confession from my own lips, and still you say that you wish me no
harm! Who are you? what are you? what do you want of me?" He had
advanced toward them, and in a panic the girls moved back toward the
open door. Only Betty stood fearlessly in his path.

"We are the Outdoor Girls, and we are living just at present on Gold Run
Ranch," she said quietly. "We found out who you were because you were
good enough to play for us at a benefit we gave at the Hostess House at
Camp Liberty some time ago. And we came up here because we thought that
you were in trouble and that we might help you. If we can't help you,
I'm sorry." And with head bravely uplifted Betty turned toward the door.

She had almost reached it when he called to her.

"You are a brave girl," said Paul Loup slowly, his eyes intent on
Betty's pretty face, "How do you know that I--the murderer--will not
kill you also for this knowl