a hard sort of laugh, and I heard Helen say, 'You
lie! You know you are lying! He will disprove everything you say!'
Another time I heard Helen exclaim, 'Give me that pistol! You shan't
threaten him while I'm there!' I knew, of course, they were speaking
of Frank Woods, but I didn't know what it was all about. But why do
you ask all this, Bupps?"

"Mary," I said, and I couldn't look at her, "the coroner has given a
verdict of murder."

"Murder?" Mary gasped. I nodded.

"Jim was shot from behind, while he was driving Helen out to the
country-club to meet Woods, and Helen was in the back seat."

"She didn't do it!" Mary burst out. "She couldn't have done it."

"Of course she didn't do it!" I exploded. We were glaring at each
other as though each was defending Helen from the other's accusation.
"We know she didn't do it, but there are many who won't take our word
for it. I could see by the way the coroner looked at me this morning
that he is ready to accuse her of murdering Jim, and it's up to us to
save her, by finding out who really is guilty."

We drove up in front of Luigi's, and I was able to get a small table,
in the corner by ourselves. Although no one could have overheard us, I
sat as near Mary as I could and we talked with our heads close together.

Mrs. Webster Pratt came in the door just then, with a luncheon party,
and, noticing how we were engrossed, came bouncing over to the table at
once.

"Poor Mr. Thompson, my heart bleeds for you--simply bleeds for you."

I got to my feet and permitted her to squeeze my hand. She squeezes
your hand or pats you at the least opportunity, and this one was
unequaled.

"Poor, dear Mr. Felderson. It is such a loss. I was shocked to death
when I heard it. And Mrs. Felderson, the poor child, is she going
to--ah--t-t-t. I was afraid so when I read it in the paper. I'm
surprised to find you here. How is your poor dear mother?"

I knew that the woman would gossip all over the place about my
heartlessness, unless I explained my presence in a public cafe so soon
after Jim's death and my sister's injury.

"My mother doesn't know about it yet," I said quietly. "I didn't think
her strong enough to stand the shock. I shouldn't have come here, but
I had a very important matter to talk over with Miss Pendleton."

"I could see that from the way you were sitting," she giggled. "I'm
afraid that you're going to give Eastbrook something to talk about as
soon a