if you sent him to prison."

"He took the chance of killing me last night," was the cold reply. "What's far
worse, he insulted my wife."

"Oh, Mr. Holcroft! He was young and foolish; he didn't realize--"

"Were you and your husband young and foolish," he interrupted bitterly, "when
you gulled me into employing that crazy cousin of yours?"

This retort was so overwhelming that Mrs. Weeks sobbed speechlessly.

Alida could not help overhearing the conversation, and she now glided into the
room and stood by her husband's side.

"James," she said, "won't you do me a favor, a great kindness?"

Mrs. Weeks raised her eyes and looked wonderingly at this dreadful woman,
against whom all Oakville was talking.

"I know what you wish, Alida," he replied sternly, "but I can't do it. This
is a case for justice. This woman's son was the leader of that vile crowd
that insulted you last night. I can forgive his injuring me, but not the
words he used about you. Moreover, when I was alone and struggling to keep my
home, Mrs. Weeks took part with her husband in imposing on me their fraud of a
cousin and in tricking me out of honest money. Any woman with a heart in her
breast would have tried to help a man situated as I was. No, it's a clear
case of justice, and her son shall go to jail."

Mrs. Weeks wailed afresh at this final sentence. Holcroft was amazed to see