"Then you refuse to tell me--you refuse to explain why this man whom I
believed to be my friend, and to whom I have rendered many services, has
held you in his thraldom?" I exclaimed bitterly.

CHAPTER XIV.

REVEALS A FURTHER DECEPTION.

My love paused. She remained silent for a long time. Then, with her head
bowed, she faltered:

"Yes. I--I am compelled to refuse."

"Why compelled?" I demanded.

"I--I cannot tell you," she whispered hoarsely. "I dare not."

"Dare not? Is your secret so terrible, then?"

"Yes. It is all a mystery. I do not know the truth myself," she replied.
"I only know that I--that I love you, and that now, because that woman
has spoken, I have lost you and am left to face the world--the
police--alone!"

"Have I not told you, dearest, that I will do my best to protect and
defend you if you will only reveal the truth to me," I said.

"But I can't."

"You still wish to shield this blackguard who has held you in secret in
his hands?" I cried in anger.

"No, I don't," she cried in despair. "I tell you, Teddy, now--even if
this is the last time we ever meet--that I love you and you alone. I
have fallen the victim of a clever and dastardly plot, believe me, or
believe me not. What I tell you is the truth."

"I do believe you," I replied fervently. "But if you love me, Phrida, as
you declare, you will surely reveal to me the perfidy of this man I have
trusted!"

"I--I can't now," she said in a voice of excuse. "It is impossible. But
you may know some day."

"You knew that I visited him on that fatal night. Answer me?"

She hesitated. Then presently, in a low tone, replied--

"Yes, Teddy, I knew. Ah!" she went on, her face white and haggard. "You
cannot know the torture I have undergone--fearing that you might be aware
of my presence there. Each time I met you I feared to look you in the
face."

"Because your secret is a guilty one--eh?"

"I fell into a trap, and I cannot extricate myself," she declared
hoarsely. "Now that the police know, there is only one way out for me,"
she added, in a tone of blank despair. "I cannot face it--no--I--now that
I have lost your love, dear. I care for naught more. My enemies will
hound me to my death!"

And she burst into a torrent of bitter tears.

"No, no," I answered her, placing my hand tenderly upon her shoulder.
"Reveal the truth to me, and I will protect you and shield you from them.
At present, though the police are in possession