"Hiding! Why?"

"I don't know. But last night I thought I saw him below my window. I
opened the window, so if it were he, he could make some sign. But he
moved on without a word. Later, whoever it was came back. I put out my
light and watched. Some one stood there, in the shadow, until after
two this morning. Part of the time he was looking up."

"Don't you think, had it been he, he would have spoken when he saw
you?"

She shook her head. "He is in trouble," she said. "He has not heard
from me, and he--thinks I don't care any more. Just look at me, Mrs.
Pitman! Do I look as if I don't care?"

She looked half killed, poor lamb.

"He may be out of town, searching for a better position," I tried to
comfort her. "He wants to have something to offer more than himself."

"I only want him," she said, looking at me frankly. "I don't know why
I tell you all this, but you are so kind, and I _must_ talk to some
one."

She sat there, in the cozy corner the school-teacher had made with a
portiere and some cushions, and I saw she was about ready to break
down and cry. I went over to her and took her hand, for she was my own
niece, although she didn't suspect it, and I had never had a child of
my own.

But after all, I could not help her much. I could only assure her that
he would come back and explain everything, and that he was all right,
and that the last time I had seen him he had spoken of her, and had
said she was "the best ever." My heart fairly yearned over the girl,
and I think she felt it. For she kissed me, shyly, when she was
leaving.

With the newspaper files before me, it is not hard to give the details
of that sensational trial. It commenced on Monday, the seventh of May,
but it was late Wednesday when the jury was finally selected. I was at
the court-house early on Thursday, and so was Mr. Reynolds.

The district attorney made a short speech. "We propose, gentlemen, to
prove that the prisoner, Philip Ladley, murdered his wife," he said
in part. "We will show first that a crime was committed; then we will
show a motive for this crime, and, finally, we expect to show that the
body washed ashore at Sewickley is the body of the murdered woman, and
thus establish beyond doubt the prisoner's guilt."

Mr. Ladley listened with attention. He wore the brown suit, and looked
well and cheerful. He was much more like a spectator than a prisoner,
and he was not so nervous as I was.

Of that first day I do not recall