"No, no!" cried Alida passionately. "I don't want to see him again, and I won't go to a court before people unless I am dragged there." The sergeant looked up at the policeman who had arrested her and said, "This story is not contrary to anything you saw?" "No, sir; she was wandering about and seemed half out of her mind." "Well, then, I can let you go." "But I don't know where to go," she replied, looking at him with hunted, hollow eyes. "I feel as if I were going to be sick. Please don't turn me into the streets. I'd rather go back to the cell--" "That won't answer. There's no place that I can send you to except the poorhouse. Haven't you any money?" "No, sir. I just rushed away and left everything when I learned the truth." "Tom Watterly's hotel is the only place for her," said the policeman with a nod. "Oh, I can't go to a hotel." "He means the almshouse," explained the sergeant. "What is your name?" "Alida--that's all now. Yes, I'm a pauper and I can't work just yet. I'll be safe there, won't I?" "Certainly, safe as in your mother's house." "Oh, mother, mother; thank God, you are dead!" "Well, I AM sorry for you," said the sergeant kindly. "'Taint often we have so sad a case as yours. If you say so, I'll send for Tom Watterly, and he and his wife will take charge of you. After a few days, your mind will get quieter and clearer, and then you'll prosecute the man who wronged you." "I'll go to the poorhouse until I can do better," she replied wearily. "Now, if you please, I'll return to my cell where I can be alone." "Oh, we can give you a better room than that," said the sergeant. "Show her into the waiting room, Tim. If you prosecute, we can help you with our testimony. Goodbye, and may you have better days!" Watterly was telegraphed to come down with a conveyance for the almshouse was in a suburb. In due time he appeared, and was briefly told Alida's story. He swore a little at the "mean cuss," the author of all the trouble, and then took the stricken woman to what all his acquaintances facetiously termed his "hotel." Chapter XI. Baffled