d," I began quietly, realizing her spirit. "You have given a
wrong meaning to my words; I respect you, believe in you, and merely
desire to help you to the best of my ability. Sit down here, and let us
face this thing squarely together. We must n't act like children, or
close our eyes to facts. For instance--we have both been up all night.
That is n't specially new for me, but it is to you, and the exposure and
strain shows. You are not fit to go out hunting employment."

"Poverty has no choice," bitterly. "The fact that I am tired does not
matter."

"Oh, but it does. Now I am not quite so badly off as you suppose. All I
ask is a chance to think, to arrange some plan. Won't you sit quietly
there until I puzzle it out?"

She sank down wearily upon one end of the settee, and I took the other,
leaning forward, my face in my hands.

CHAPTER IX

WE COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS

For a few moments as I sat thus in silence the obvious way out never
once occurred to me. Somehow the memory of my own position had become
blotted out in contemplation of the serious predicament of my
companion. How could I assist her in spite of her pride, and her
determination to continue the struggle alone. I could not take her to
my boarding house, which was exclusively for men, nor did I have any
acquaintance able to furnish her employment. I shoved my hands deep
into my pockets, and my fingers touched the two bills handed me by
Vail. For an instant I failed to realize their significance, and then
the recollection of my own engagement came swiftly back. At first the
memory was a disgust; the very presence of the girl, and her tale of
struggle, made me realize the sordidness of this plot in which I was
involved. Somehow it struck me then as a dirty, underhanded scheme.
Yet, as I reviewed the details, this conception largely vanished. We
were defrauding no one, merely protecting a man helpless to protect
himself, backed by legal advice, as well as by the desire of the
administrators of the will. The comparatively large sum of money
offered me for the service was not excessive considering the amount
involved, or the way in which I physically resembled the party
represented. The feeling of resentment died away, but I doubted if she
could be made to look at it in the same light. I glanced across to
where she sat, the gray dawn giving me clear view. Her head rested
back upon one arm, and she was asleep. Uncomfortable as she