“You didn’t know it? I thought not. Well, he did.” “Why, he always pretended to want him to be convicted.” “Cunning Hilary!” said I. “He used to speak most strongly against him.” “That was his guile,” said I. “Oh, but why in the world--?” she began; then she paused, and went on again: “It was nothing to do with Hilary.” “Hilary went with me to see him, you know, while they had him under lock and key at the firm’s offices.” “Did he? I never heard that.” “And he was much impressed with his bearing.” “Well, I suppose, Mr. Carter, that if he was really penitent--” “Never saw a man less penitent,” I interrupted. “He gloried in his crime; if I remember his exact expression, it was that the jam was jolly well worth the powder, and if they liked to send him to chokee they could and be--and suffer accordingly, you know.” “And after that, Hilary--!” “Oh, anybody can impose on Hilary, you know. Hilary only asked what the jam was.” “It’s a horrid expression, but I suppose it meant acting the part of a gentleman, didn’t it?” “Not entirely. According to what he told Hilary, Johnny was in love.” “Oh, and he stole for some wretched--?” “Now do be careful. What do you know about the lady?” “The lady! I can imagine Johnny Tompkin’s’s ideal?” “So can I, if you come to that.” “And she must have known his money wasn’t his own.” “Why must she?” I asked. “According to what he told Hilary, she didn’t.” “I don’t believe it,” said Mrs. Hilary, with decision. “Hilary believed it!” “Oh, Hilary!” “But, then Hilary knew the girl.” “Hilary knew--! You mean to say Hilary knew--? “No one better,” said I composedly. Mrs. Hilary rose to her feet. “Who was the creature?” she asked sharply. “Come,” I expostulated, “how would you like it if your young man had taken to theft and--” “Oh, nonsense. Tell me her name, please, Mr. Carter.” “Johnny told Hilary that just to see her and talk to her and sit by her side was ‘worth all the money’--but then, to be sure, it was somebody else’s money--and that he’d do it again to get what he had got over again. Then, I’m sorry to say, he swore.” “And Hilary believed that stuff?” “Hilary agreed with him,” said I. “Hilary, you see, knows the lady.” “What’s her name, Mr. Carter?” “Didn’t you notice his attentions to any one?” “I notice! You don’t mean that I’ve seen her?” “Certainly you have.” “Was she ever here?’ “Yes, Mrs. Hilary. Hilary takes care of that.” “I shall be angry in a minute, Mr. Carter. Oh, I’ll have this out of Hilary!” “I should.” “Who was she?” “According to what he told Hilary, she was the most fascinating woman in the world, Hilary thought so, too.” Mrs. Hilary began to walk up and down. “Oh, so Hilary helped to let him go, because they both--?” “Precisely,” said I. “And you dare to come and tell me?” “Well, I thought you ought to know,” said I. “Hilary’s just as mad about her as Johnny--in fact, he said he’d be hanged if he wouldn’t have done the same himself.”