but I beg you will not include me in the conversation."

"Not unless it should be necessary," I replied coldly, for I did not
at all like her making this stipulation. To me it savored of a sort of
cowardice, or at least a presumption on my own chivalry.

When the man appeared, I saw at a glance he was quite as much agitated
as Miss Lloyd. There was no longer a possibility of a doubt that these
two knew something, had some secret in common, which bore directly on
the case, and which must be exposed. A sudden hope flashed into my mind
that it might be only some trifling secret, which seemed of importance
to them, but which was merely a side issue of the great question.

I considered myself justified in taking advantage of the man's
perturbation, and without preliminary speech I drew the transfer from my
pocket and fairly flashed it in his face.

"Louis," I said sternly, "you dropped this transfer when you came home
the night of Mr. Crawford's death."

The suddenness of my remark had the effect I desired, and fairly
frightened the truth out of the man.

"Y-yes, sir," he stammered, and then with a frightened glance at Miss
Lloyd, he stood nervously interlacing his fingers.

I glanced at Miss Lloyd myself, but she had regained entire
self-possession, and sat looking straight before her with an air that
seemed to say, "Go on, I'm prepared for the worst."

As I paused myself to contemplate the attitudes of the two, I lost my
ground of vantage, for when I again spoke to the man, he too was more
composed and ready to reply with caution. Doubtless he was influenced by
Miss Lloyd's demeanor, for he imitatively assumed a receptive air.

"Where did you get the transfer?" I went on.

"On the trolley, sir; the main line."

"To be used on the Branch Line through West Sedgwick?"

"Yes, sir."

"Why did you not use it?"

"As I tell you, sir, and as I tell monsieur, the coroner, I have spend
that evening with a young lady. We went for a trolley ride, and as we
returned I take a transfer for myself, but not for her, as she live near
where we alight."

"Oh, you left the main line and took the young lady home, intending then
yourself to come by trolley through West Sedgwick?"

"Yes, sir; it was just that way."

At this point Louis seemed to forget his embarrassment, his gaze strayed
away, and a happy expression came into his eyes. I felt sure I was
reading his volatile French nature aright, when I assumed his mind had
tur