True Crime & Murder Mysteries Collection. Moffett Cleveland

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      "It wasn't wasted, dear," he answered fondly. "To have held you in my arms like that will give me courage for whatever is to come."

      "But, Lloyd," she reasoned, "nothing bad will come if you do what I say. I am here to help you, to get you out of this dreadful place."

      "You little angel!" he smiled. "How are you going to do it?"

      "I'll tell you in a moment," she said, "but, first, you must answer some questions. Never mind why I ask them, just answer. You will, won't you, Lloyd? You trust me?"

      "Of course I trust you, sweetheart, and I'll answer anything that I—that I can."

      "Good. I'll begin with the easiest question," she said, consulting her list. "Sit down here—that's right. Now, then, have you ever had gout or rheumatism? Don't laugh—it's important."

      "Never," he answered, and she wrote it down.

      "Do you play tennis with your right hand or your left hand?"

      "Oh, see here," he protested, "what's the use of——"

      "No, no," she insisted, "you must tell me. Please, the right hand or the left?"

      "I use both hands," he answered, and she wrote it down.

      "Now," she continued, "you have a chest of drawers in your room with two brass dogs fighting about the lock plates?"

      Kittredge stared at her. "How the devil did you know that?"

      "Never mind. You usually keep the right-hand upper drawer locked, don't you?"

      "That's true."

      "Do you remember going to this drawer any time lately and finding it unlocked?"

      He thought a moment. "No, I don't."

      Alice hesitated, and then, with a flush of embarrassment, she went on bravely: "Now, Lloyd, I come to the hardest part. You must help me and—and not think that I am hurt or—or jealous."

      "Well?"

      "It's about the lady who—who called for you. This is all her fault, so—so naturally she wants to help you."

      "How do you know she does?" he asked quickly.

      "Because I have seen her."

      "What?"

      "Yes, and, Lloyd, she is sorry for the harm she has done and——"

      "You have seen her?" he cried, half dazed. "How? Where?"

      Then, in as few words as possible, Alice told of her talk with the lady at the church. "And I have this message for you from her and—and this." She handed him the note and the folded bank notes.

      Lloyd's face clouded. "She sent me money?" he said in a changed voice, and his lips grew white.

      "Read the note," she begged, and he did so, frowning.

      "No, no," he declared, "it's quite impossible. I cannot take it," and he handed the money back. "You wouldn't have me take it?"

      He looked at her gravely, and she thrilled with pride in him.

      "But the lawyer?" she protested weakly. "And your safety?"

      "Would you want me to owe my safety to her?"

      "Oh, no," she murmured.

      "Besides, they have given me a lawyer. I dare say he is a good one, Mr. Full-of-Water." He tried to speak lightly.

      "Then—then what shall I do with these?" She looked at the bank notes in perplexity.

      "Return them."

      "Ah, yes," she agreed, snatching at a new idea. "I will return them, I will say that you thank her, that we thank her, Lloyd, but we cannot accept the money. Is that right?"

      "Exactly."

      "I will go to her apartment in the morning. Let me see, it's on the Avenue—Where did I put her address?" and she went through the form of searching in her pocketbook.

      "The Avenue Kleber," he supplied, unsuspecting.

      "Of course, the Avenue Kleber. Where is that card? I've forgotten the number, too. Do you remember it, dear?"

      Poor child, she tried so hard to speak naturally, but her emotion betrayed her. Indeed, it seemed to Alice, in that moment of suspense, that her lover must hear the loud beating of her heart.

      "Ah, I see," he cried, eying her steadily, "she did not give you her address and you are trying to get it from me. Do you even know her name?"

      "No," confessed Alice shamefacedly. "Forgive me, I—I wanted to help you."

      "By making me do a dishonorable thing?"

      "Don't look at me like that. I wouldn't have you do a dishonorable thing; but——"

      "Who told you to ask me these questions?"

      "M. Coquenil."

      "What, the detective?"

      "Yes. He believes you innocent, Lloyd, and he's going to prove it."

      "I hope he does, but—tell him to leave this woman alone."

      "Oh, he won't do that; he says he will find out who she is in a few days, anyway. That's why I thought——"

      "I understand," he said comfortingly, "and the Lord knows I want to get out of this hole, but—we've got to play fair, eh? Now let's drop all that and—do you want to make me the happiest man in the world? I'm the happiest man in Paris already, even here, but if you will tell me one thing—why—er—this prison won't cut any ice at all."

      "What do you want me to tell you?" she asked uneasily.

      "You little darling!" he said tenderly. "You needn't tell me anything if it's going to make you feel badly, but, you see, I've got some lonely hours to get through here and—well, I think of you most of the time and—" He took her hand fondly in his.

      "Dear, dear Lloyd!" she murmured.

      "And I've sort of got it in my head that—do you want to know?"

      "Yes, I want to know," she said anxiously.

      "I believe there's some confounded mystery about you, and, if you don't mind, why—er——"

      Alice started to her feet, and Lloyd noticed, as she faced him, that the pupils of her eyes widened and then grew small as if from fright or violent emotion.

      "Why do you say that? What makes you think there is a mystery about me?" she demanded, trying vainly to hide her agitation.

      "Now don't get upset—please don't!" soothed Kittredge. "If there isn't anything, just say so, СКАЧАТЬ