. Swink was unaware that her daughter had made
frequent visits to Scarborough Square at the same time Mr. Thomas
Cressy happened to be there, she was hardly apt to associate me with
their departure from the city; still, with less justice I have been
held responsible for things with which I had nothing to do, and, that
Mrs. Mundy be prepared for possible questions, I gave her a few
instructions concerning them.

She recalled clearly the conversation of which I had heard a few
words, but the girl talking to her had not mentioned the name of the
girl of whom she talked, or of that of the man who was being nursed
by her.

"She spoke of her as a friend who was a fool to care for a man as she
cared." Mrs. Mundy put her hand to her mouth to cover a yawn. "She
said--"

I got up. It was too late for details. "Find the girl who came to
see you, and if the friend of whom she is speaking is Etta Blake, get
her address and go to see her, if you can. If not, send Mr. Crimm.
Tell the latter he must find Harrie. He may be somewhere under an
assumed name. So may Etta Blake. Do you suppose it is possible
they--can be together somewhere?"

"Anything is possible." Mrs. Mundy blinked her eyes bravely to
prevent my seeing the overpowering sleep in them, and quickly I went
to the door.

"It's a shame you have to go to the train with us. You can come
right back, however, and sleep as late as you want. The cab will be
here at three-thirty. Take a nap until then, and don't look so
worried. I'm not committing a crime. I'm helping to keep some one
else from committing one. Good night." I kissed the dear soul and,
leaving her, hurried up-stairs.

Madeleine was lying down when I came back in the room, and, wanting
much to talk, she began to do so, but unfeelingly I made her stop.
Getting out the oldest and shabbiest dress I possessed, with a hat to
correspond, I took off my party dress and slipped into a warm and
worn wrapper. After putting a few things in a bag, without further
undressing, I stretched out on the couch near the foot of the bed and
in the dark called to Madeleine.

"You won't be a beautiful bride if you don't get some sleep. Shut
your eyes." Mine were shut. I wasn't going to be married. I was
only a very tired maiden-lady about to do something she had no
business doing, and shamelessly I went to sleep and left Madeleine
awake.

Seemingly I had slept but a few minutes when, opening my eyes, I saw
Made