him. By this time, the first gust of his passion was passing and
reason resuming its sway. He paced up and down in the road a moment or
two, and then sat down as he said, "I don't half understand what you've
been talking about and I fear you don't. You've evidently been
listening and watching and have got hold of something. Now, I'll be as
patient as I can if you'll tell me the whole story quickly," and he
turned his flushed, quivering face toward her.

"Then I s'pose you'll scold me for listenin' and watchin' that scamp,"
said the girl sullenly.

"No, Jane, not in this case. Unless your impressions are all mistaken
I may have to thank you all my life. I'm not one to forget those who
are true to me. Now, begin at the beginning and go right through to the
end; then I may understand better than you can."

Jane did as she was told, and many "says he's" and "says she's"
followed in her literal narrative. Holroft again dropped his face into
his hands, and before she was through, tears of joy trickled through
his fingers. When she finished, he arose, turned away, and hastily
wiped his eyes, then gave the girl his hand as he said, "Thank you,
Jane. You've tried to be a true friend to me today. I'll show you
that I don't forget. I was a fool to get in such a rage, but you can't
understand and must forgive me. Come, you see I'm quiet now," and he
untied the horses and lifted her into his wagon.

"What yer doin' to do?" she asked, as they drove away.

"I'm going to reward you for watching and listening to that scoundrel,
but you must not watch me or Mrs. Holcroft, or listen to what we say
unless we speak before you. If you do, I shall be very angry. Now,
you've only one thing more to do and that is, show me where this man is
hiding."

"But you won't go near him alone?" inquired Jane in much alarm.

"You must do as I bid you," he replied sternly. "Show me where he's
hiding, then stay by the wagon and horses."

"But he same as said he'd kill you."

"You have your orders," was his quiet reply.

She looked scared enough, but remained silent until they reached a
shaded spot on the road, then said, "If you don't want him to see you
too soon, better tie here. He's around yonder, in a grove up on the
hill."

Holcroft drove to a tree by the side of the highway and again tied his
horses, then took the whip from the wagon. "Are you afraid to go with
me a little way and show me just where he is?" he asked.

"No,