ll you he didn't, and you have no right
to say such things."

"Come, Betty," Lois remarked, rising to her feet and taking the girl by
the arm, "let us go home."

"Ye may not believe me," the old woman called after them as they walked
away, "but ye'll soon find out fer yerselves, and then maybe ye won't
talk so big and mighty."

Betty was going to reply, but Lois checked her.

"I wouldn't say anything more, dear," she advised. "We must expect
people to talk and imagine all sorts of things. Let us be brave and
hope for the best."

"But I can't bear to hear them say such awful things about Mr. Jasper,"
the girl sobbed. "I'm sure he didn't get Mr. David to make his will,
and then kill him to get the money."

"So am I, Betty. But I'm afraid we'll be the only ones who think so.
We'll stand by him, anyway, and do all we can for him, won't we?"

Lois suddenly stopped and her face went pale. They had now come in
sight of Jasper's cabin, and near it were several men. On the road
were most of the people who had been at the funeral. That they were
greatly excited was quite evident. In an instant Lois realised the
meaning of it all, and she clutched Betty by the arm in the intensity
of her emotion.

"They are going to arrest him!" Her voice was hoarse, and she spoke
scarcely above a whisper.

"Who?" Betty asked in surprise, not fully comprehending the meaning of
her words.

"The constables are after Mr. Randall," Lois explained. "There they
are now!" she cried. "They are coming from the house, and he is
walking between them."

"Are they going to put him in prison?" the girl asked.

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

With a wild cry, Betty sprang forward and rushed up the road. Lois
followed, wondering what the girl was going to do. She reached the
crowd just as Jasper and the constables approached, and stood there a
silent watcher. What could she do? she asked herself. Would he see
her, and know of her sympathy?

Jasper was walking with a free easy motion, closely guarded by the two
constables, one of whom was Jim Goban. His face was pale and he looked
very careworn, but he held his head erect and kept his eyes straight
before him. Betty standing near, rushed suddenly forward and caught
him by the hand.

"Oh, Mr. Jasper," she cried, "we know you didn't do at, and I want to
tell you so."

Taken by surprise, Jasper paused and looked at the girl.

"Thank you," he replied. "I am glad you believe in me."