questioning, yet was not interrupted more than once or twice. Somehow,
as I thus repeated the proposed scheme to another it did not appear
quite as easy, or honorable, as when I faced it alone. However, I
struggled through, painting the affair as well as I could, but without
daring to propose her cooperation. Her wide-open eyes on my face gave
me a thrill of apprehension I could not analyze.

"That 's the whole story," I ended, rather lamely.

"What do you think of it?"

"I--I hardly know," with slow hesitation. "It is very strange. Tell
me the young man's name again."

"Henley--Philip Henley."

"And the town?"

"Carrollton, Alabama."

"And he is in prison for crime, you say--what crime?"

"Forgery, a fourteen-year sentence."

"Did they tell you when he was sent there?"

"No; I believe not."

"And his wife has disappeared? They can find no trace of her?"