e, and he
thinks he ought to do something to help the officer because he helped
him, and his head is full of Police Gazette stories, utterly without
foundation, and he thinks he can tell who the real culprits were,--or
something of that kind. It is utter nonsense. I have investigated the
whole thing,--heard the whole story. It is the trashiest, most
impossible thing you ever dreamed of, and would only make fearful
trouble if Mr. Hayne got hold of it."

"Why?"

"_Why?_ Because he is naturally vengeful and embittered, and he would
seize on any pretext to make it unpleasant for the officers who brought
about his trial."

"Do you mean that what Clancy says in any way affects them?" asked Nell,
with quickening pulse and color.

"It might, if there were a word of truth in it; but it is the maudlin
dream of a liquor-maddened brain. Mrs. Clancy and I both know that what
he says is utterly impossible. Indeed, he tells no two stories alike."

"Has he told you anything?"

"No; but she tells me everything."

"How do you know she tells the truth?"

"Nellie! Why should she deceive me? I have done everything for them."

"I distrust her all the same; and you had better be warned in time. If
he has any theory, no matter how crack-brained, or if he knows anything
about the case and wants to tell it to Mr. Hayne, you are the last woman
on earth who should stand in the way."

"Upon my word, Nellie Travers, this is going too far! One would think
you believed I wish to stand in the way of that young man's
restoration."

"Kate, if you lift a hand or speak one word to prevent Clancy's seeing
Mr. Hayne and telling him everything he knows, you will make me
believe--precisely that."

Captain Rayner heard sobbing and lamentation on the bedroom floor when
he came in a few moments after. Going aloft, he found Miss Travers's
door closed as usual, and his wife in voluble distress of mind. He
could only learn that she and Nellie had had a falling out, and that
Nell had behaved in a most unjust, disrespectful, and outrageous way.
She declined to give further particulars.

X.

Miss Travers had other reasons for wanting to be alone. That very
afternoon, just after stable-call, she found herself unoccupied for the
time being, and decided to go over and see Mrs. Waldron a few moments.
The servant admitted her to the little army parlor, and informed her
that Mrs. Waldron had stepped out, but would be home directly. A bright
wood f