nger.

"You have no right to--ask me that," she cried. But Fyles had
committed himself. Nor would he draw back.

"Haven't I?" he laughed harshly. "All's fair in love and--war. We are
at war--officially."

The woman's flushing cheeks remained, but the sparkle of her eyes had
changed again to an ironical light.

"War--yes. Perhaps you're right. The only courtesies recognized in war
are observed in the prize ring, and in international warfare. Our
warfare must be less exalted, and permits hitting--below the belt.
I've told you what Charlie is to me, and I have told you truly. I am
trying to defend an innocent man, who is no more to me than a brother,
or--or son. I am doing so because of his peculiar ailments which make
him well-nigh incapable of helping himself. You see, he does not care.
His own safety, his own welfare, are nothing to him. It is for that
reason, for the way he acts in consequence of these things, that all
men believe him a rogue, and a--a waster. I tell you he is neither."

She finished up a little breathlessly. She had permitted her loyalty
and anxiety to carry her beyond the calm fencing she had intended.

But Fyles remained unmoved, except that the harshness had gone out of
his manner.

"It is not I who am obstinate," he said soberly. "It is you, Miss
Kate. What if I told you I had irrefutable circumstantial evidence
against him? Would that turn you from your faith in him?"

The woman shook her head.

"It would be merely circumstantial evidence," she said. "God knows how
circumstance has filled our penitentiaries wrongfully," she added
bitterly.

"And but for circumstance our population of wrongdoers at large would
be greater by a thousand per cent.," retorted the officer.

"That is supposition," smiled Kate.

"Which does not rob it of its possibility in fact."

The two sat looking at each other, silently defiant. Kate was smiling.
A great excitement was thrilling her, and she liked this man all the
better for his blunt readiness for combat, even with her.

Fyles was wondering at this woman, half angry, half pleased. Her
strength and readiness appealed to him as a wonderful display.

He was the first to speak, and, in doing so, he felt he was
acknowledging his worsting in the encounter.

"It's--it's impossible to fight like this," he said lamely. "I am not
accustomed to fight with women."

"Does it matter, so long as a woman can fight?" Kate cried quickly.
"Chivalry?" she went on