ransfer of the mining
stock, there is good reason to hope that the court may be lenient. Do
I understand that you are giving me a free hand in the case, Bert?"

"I don't see that there is anything else for me to do," I said,
half-doubtfully; and as he was going I asked him about the question of
bail.

"I have waived the preliminary examination for you--merely to save you
the humiliation of appearing in a justice's court in Glendale," was the
evasive reply.

"But without the examination I shan't have a chance to offer bail,
shall I?"

Whitredge shook his head. "The guaranty company that is on your bond
beat us to it, I'm sorry to say. They sent their attorney over from
Cincinnati last night, and he is here now, prepared to refuse the
company's consent in the matter of ball. That is another reason why,
acting for you, I have waived the preliminary. Without the guaranty
company's assent to the arrangement it would be useless for us to offer
sureties, though Geddis and two or three others have expressed their
willingness to sign for you."

"Then what am I to expect?"

"Nothing worse than a little delay. Court is in session, and you will
be taken to Jefferson. If the grand jury finds a true bill against
you, the cause will probably be tried at the present term of court.
There need be nothing humiliating or embarrassing for you here in
Glendale. Sam Jorkins will take you over to Jefferson on the midnight
train, and you needn't see any of the home-town folks unless you want
to."

Remembering the clammy handshakings of the forenoon, I thought I should
never again want to see anybody that I knew. And thus I made the
second of the miserable blunders which led to all that followed.

"Let it be that way," I said. "If Jorkins will go with me up to Mrs.
Thompson's so that I can get a few things and pack a grip----"

"Oh, of course," said Whitredge, readily enough. "I'll have a carriage
to take you to the train, and it can drive around by your
boarding-house. But you mustn't try to run away. I suppose you
wouldn't do anything like that, would you?--even if you had a good
chance?"

I turned upon him as quick as a flash.

"Do you mean that you're trying to give me a hint that I'd better run
away?" I demanded.

He took a step toward the cell door and I had a fleeting impression
that he was listening to determine whether or not there was any one in
the corridor. When he faced me again he was frowning reprovi