"Geoff--oh, Geoff," exclaimed the boy, and choking, turned away.

"Won't you congratulate me?"

"I can't yet," gasped Spike; "I can't till I've told ye what a mean guy
I've been."

"What about?"

"About you--and Hermy. Bud said you meant t' make her go the way--little
Maggie Finlay went, an'--oh, Geoff, I--I kind of believed him."

"Did you, Spike--that foul beast? But you don't believe it any longer,
and M'Ginnis is--only M'Ginnis, after all."

"But I--I've got to tell you more," said the lad miserably, as meeting
Ravenslee's eye with an effort, he went on feverishly. "The other night
after--after Bud slipped me the--the stuff an' I'd had a--a drink or
two, he began askin' all about you. At first I blocked and side-stepped
all his questions, but he kep' on at me, an' at last I--I give you away,
Geoff--" Here Spike paused breathlessly and cast an apprehensive glance
toward his hearer, but finding him silent and serene as ever he
repeated:

"I--gave you away, Geoff!"

"Did you, Spike?"

"Yes, I--I told him who you really are!"