Annabel listened attentively, her eyes narrowing occasionally, her breath coming quick and sharp. There was a dead silence when Blue Bonnet finished, and then Annabel jumped up from her seat and took a few turns about the room. She was thinking something over, Blue Bonnet knew. "I think--I believe I have a clue. In fact I know I have. Leave this to me for a day or two. I wish you had come to me sooner. There was no need of your suffering like this. I think I know the young person--" She stopped abruptly and stooping kissed Blue Bonnet lightly on the cheek. She came back after she had left the room and inquired quite casually where Joy Cross was practising at this hour. "In number six, I think, Annabel. She used to, anyway." "Thank you. I want to see her a minute." In number six Joy Cross was pounding out an exercise. She looked up as Annabel opened the door and went on with her practising. "May I speak with you a minute?" Annabel said. Joy wheeled on her stool. "For a minute," she said. "I'm busy." "It will only take a minute, I fancy. When do you intend to acknowledge the book you hid in Blue Bonnet Ashe's drawer while she was away?" The shock was so sudden--so unexpected--that Joy Cross grew faint. Every vestige of color died out of her face. "I don't know what you mean," she said slowly. "What are you talking about?" "You know what I'm talking about, all right. Do you remember the day two weeks ago when we were out walking and stopped in that queer little book shop? One of the girls wanted to get her Quatre-vingt-treize. You went to another part of the shop--alone. I came up behind you--something had attracted my attention--you didn't see me. I heard you ask for the book--I will not mention the name. I saw the clerk hand it to you--give you your change. Saw the whole transaction with my own eyes! This is no hearsay." Joy Cross turned round to the piano and hid her face in her hands. "I haven't words to express my opinion of you, Joy Cross," Annabel went on. "A girl who would put another girl in the position you have put Blue Bonnet Ashe--as honest and innocent a girl as ever drew the breath of life. You're a coward--a miserable--" Joy turned and threw out her hand beseechingly. "Wait," she said, "please wait! I want to tell you. I'm all you say, perhaps--but--if you would only listen--" Annabel had turned away impatiently.