could make the man tell. Surely the testimony of one who saw
Joseph Crawford late that night was of value, and though that testimony
was difficult to obtain, it was well worth the effort.

"And was Mr. Hall at his desk also?"

Louis stared at me. "Mr. Hall, he was in New York that night." This was
said so simply and unpremeditatedly, that I was absolutely certain it
was not Hall whom Louis had seen there.

"Oh, yes, of course, so he was," I said lightly; "and Mr. Crawford was
writing, was he?"

"Yes, sir," spoken with the dogged scowl which I was beginning to learn
always accompanied Louis's untruthful statements.

And now I decided to put my worst fear to the test and have it over
with. It must be done, and I felt sure I could do it, but oh, how I
dreaded it!

"Did Mr. Crawford look up or see you?"

"No, sir."

"And didn't Miss Florence see you, either?"

"No, sir."

It was out. The mere fact that Louis answered that question so calmly
and unconsciously proved he was telling the truth. But what a truth! for
it told me at the same time that Florence Lloyd was in the office with
her uncle, that Louis had seen her, but that she had not seen him. I had
learned the truth from my reading of the man's expression and demeanor,
and though it made my heart sink, I didn't for a moment doubt that it
was the truth.

Of course Louis realized the next instant what he had done, and again he
began his stammering denials. "Of course, Miss Lloyd do not see me for
she is not there. How can she see me, then? I tell you my master was
alone!"

Had I been the least uncertain, this would have convinced me that I was
right. For Louis's voice rose almost to a shriek, so angry was he with
himself for having made the slip.

"Give it up, Louis," I said; "you have let out the truth, now be quiet.
You couldn't help it, man, you were bound to trip yourself up sooner
or later. You put up a good fight for Miss Florence, and now that I
understand why you told your falsehoods, I can't help admiring your
chivalry. You saw Miss Lloyd there that evening, you heard her next day
at the inquest deny having been in the office in the evening. So, in
a way, it was very commendable on your part to avoid contradicting her
testimonies, with your own. But you are not clever enough, Louis, to
carry out that deceit to the end. And now that you have admitted that
you saw Miss Lloyd there, you can best help her cause, and best help me
to help her cause,