"It was long enough!" vowed Kelly. "Anyway, Burke ought to have
known better. He's known you longer than that."

"He has never known me," she said quietly. "Of course he believed
the story."

"He doesn't believe it now," said Kelly quickly.

A little quiver went over her face. "Perhaps not. I don't know
what he believes, or what he will believe when he finds the money
gone. That is what I want to prevent--if only I can prevent it.
It is Guy's only chance. What he did was done wickedly enough, but
it was at a time of great excitement, when he was not altogether
master of himself. But unless it can be undone, he will go right
down--and never come up again. Oh, don't you see--" a sudden throb
sounded in her tired voice--"that if once Burke knows of this,
Guy's fate is sealed? There is no one else to help him.
Besides,--it wasn't all his own doing. It was Kieff's. And away
from Kieff, he is so different."

"Ah! But how to get him away from Kieff!" said Kelly. "The
fellow's such a damn' blackguard. Once he takes hold, he never
lets go till he's got his victim sucked dry."

Sylvia shuddered. "Can't you do anything?" she said.

Kelly looked at her with his honest kindly eyes, "If it were me,
Mrs. Ranger," he said, "I should tell me husband the whole
truth--and--let him deal with it."

She shook her head instantly. "It would be the end of everything
for Guy. Even if Burke let him off, he could never come back to
us. It would be as bad as sending him to prison--or even worse."

"Not it!" said Kelly. "You don't trust Burke. It's a pity. He's
such a fine chap. But look here, I'll do me best, I'll get hold of
young Guy and make him disgorge. How much did the young ruffian
take?"

"I don't know. That's the hopeless part of it. That is why I must
see him myself."

Kelly pursed his lips for a moment, but the next he smiled upon
her, "All right. I'll manage somehow. But you mustn't go
to-night. You tell Burke you're too tired. He'll understand."

"Do you know where Guy is?" she said.

"Oh yes, I can put me hand on the young divil if I want him. You
leave that to me! I'll do me best all round. Now--suppose we have
another trot, and then go back!"

Sylvia turned her horse's head. "I'm--deeply grateful to you, Mr.
Kelly," she said.

"Donovan!" insinuated Kelly.

She smiled a little. She seemed almost more piteous to him when
she smiled. "Donovan," she said.

"Ah, that's better!"