re she gazed
out the car window he observed that her eyes bore traces of tears.

She gave a nervous start as she recognized him.

"Oh, there you are. I've been afraid you missed the train. I'm very
glad you've come, for I'm going straight to Judge Trent's office with
you, Mr. Dunham."

"Oh, are you?" responded the young man dubiously. He seemed to see his
employer's warning glance. "I rather think Judge Trent will have gone
home. It's pretty late."

"Very well," returned Miss Lacey decisively, "then we go on to his
house. This is no time to stand on ceremony. Every moment counts."

Whatever was in her mind her companion saw that she had worked herself
to a pitch of excitement which made a railroad train no fitting
environment for its expression; and to avoid further conversation he
moved to the door and stood looking through the glass, meditating upon
the approaching interview.

The station reached, Miss Lacey waited while Dunham telephoned to the
office. There was no reply.

"The judge has evidently gone home," he said, returning to anxious Miss
Martha.

"Then, as I told you," she answered, with firmness, "I am going to his
house."

She had turned this possibility over in her mind several times. The
long spring day was bright. Neighbors would observe her and comment
upon her action, and she was not indifferent to this.

It did not occur to Dunham that she might consider the present
situation an ordeal, but he was certain of Judge Trent's frame of mind,
and he felt it incumbent upon him to do what he could.

"Shan't I put you on the car for home, Miss Lacey?" he asked
persuasively, "and bring Judge Trent to see you?"

"It would be very nice if you could," she returned briefly, "but you
couldn't."

"Oh, I assure you,"--began John smoothly.

Miss Lacey emitted a sort of impatient groan. "Don't talk," she
exclaimed brusquely. "You don't know anything about it. He'll go on
shirking just the way he's begun if I give him the chance. Isn't that
the car coming? Oh, no, it isn't!"

"Probably you'd rather see him alone," suggested John, seizing upon a
sudden hope. "Being so essentially a family matter and--eh--don't you
think?"

"No, I don't think!" returned Miss Lacey. "If I'd had my way it _would_
have been a family matter. Calvin and I ought to have attended to it
entirely alone; but he _would_ drag you into it--yes, I know it's very
uncomfortable for you, but you _are_ in, and I need you for a witness
a