"You did?"

"That's why I've come again. That makes it
respectable for me to be here now, doesn't it?--for
me to have come out alone after dark without their
knowing it? I'm here as your client, Joe."

"Why?" he asked.

She did not answer at once, but picked up a pen
from beneath her hand on the desk, and turning it,
meditatively felt its point with her forefinger
before she said slowly, "Are most men careful of
other people's--well, of other people's money?"

"You mean Martin Pike?" he asked.

"Yes. I want you to take charge of everything
I have for me."

He bent a frowning regard upon the lamp-
shade. "You ought to look after your own
property," he said. "You surely have plenty of
time."

"You mean--you mean you won't help me?"
she returned, with intentional pathos.

"Ariel!" he laughed, shortly, in answer; then
asked, "What makes you think Judge Pike isn't