er eyes opened.

"Mr. Magee," she said, when she had made out his figure by the window,
"you've been a true friend, as I might say, to a couple of mad females
who ought to have been at home by their own firesides, and I'm going to
ask one more favor of you. Find out when the next train goes to Reuton,
and see that I'm at the station an hour or two before it pulls out."

"I'll do that, Mrs. Norton," smiled Magee. "By the way, is Norton the
name?"

"Yes," answered the woman, "that's my name. Of course, it ain't hers. I
can't tell that."

"No matter," said Mr. Magee, "she'll probably change it soon. Can't you
tell me something about her--just a tiny bit of information. Just a
picture of where she is now, and what she's doing with that small
fortune I gave her."

"Where is she now?" repeated Mrs. Norton. "She's home and in bed in my
second floor front, unless she's gone clear crazy. And that's where I
wish I was this minute--in bed--though it's a question in my mind if
I'll ever be able to sleep again, what with the uproar and confusion my
house is probably in by this time, leaving it in charge of a
scatter-brained girl. Norton always used to say if you want a thing done
right, do it yourself, and though he didn't always live up to the
sentiment, letting me do most things he wanted done right, there was a
lot of truth in his words. I certainly must get back to Reuton, just as
quick as the railroad will take me."

"Why did you come?" prodded Mr. Magee. "Why did you leave your house on
this strange mission?"

"The Lord knows," replied the woman. "I certainly never intended to, but
she begged and pleaded, and the first thing I knew, I was on a train.
She has winning ways, that girl--maybe you've noticed?"

"I have," assented Billy Magee.

"I thought so. No, Mr. Magee, I can't tell you nothing about her. I
ain't allowed to--even you that has been so kind. She made me promise.
'He'll know soon enough,' she kept saying. But I will tell you, as I
told you before, there's no occasion to worry about her--unless you was
to think was she held up and murdered with all that money on her, the
brave little dear. If you was considering offering yourself for the job
of changing her name, Mr. Magee, I say go in and do it. It sure is time
she settled down and gave up this--this--gave it all up before something
awful happens to her. You won't forget--the very next train, Mr. Magee?"

"The very next," Magee agreed.

In through the