From down the hall she heard the loud breathing of Johnnie Alberson--call it a light snore if you choose. Henrietta hesitated. Ill-fitting as Johnnie's short, wide trousers might be on slender-waisted Freeman, she knew a man will wear any garments in a crisis, and that Freeman would not be beneath stealing what he needed from the sleeper. Too, through her mind flashed the thought, “If John is awake, Freeman will not dare to make a loud fuss,” and she walked to Johnnie's door and rapped sharply upon it. “We--well? Well?” came Johnnie's voice, slumber heavy. “What? What is it?” “It's Henrietta,” she answered. “I want Lem. I want Lem to come to me.” She heard Lem whine, “You leave me alone, you!” and then the reassuring voice of Johnnie, and the door opened a wide crack, and Lem, rubbing his eyes, stepped out. Freeman's door closed. “Come with me, Lem,” she said, and led the half-awakened boy to her room. He staggered to her bed and threw himself upon it, asleep the moment he touched it. “Lem!” she called sharply, standing over him. The boy opened his eyes slowly, looking up into her face. “Hello!” he said. “I--I been asleep, I guess--” “Yes. That does n't matter. You will be all right presently. I want you to tell me the truth--the honest-to-God, croes-your-heart truth, Lem--about that money. Where did you get it, Lem?” “I ain't goin' to tell you,” the boy said. Henrietta took his hand. She spoke kindly. “Yes; you must tell me, Lem,” she urged. “Did you steal it?” “No, I did n't steal it.” “That's honest-to-God, cross-your-heart, Lem?” “Yes. I did n't steal it an' anybody that says I did is an old liar, that's what she is, an' I don't care who knows it. She's a mean, old liar--” “Wait, Lem. Maybe nobody is a liar. Can I believe that you did n't steal it? Can I bet my bottom dollar on that, Lem?” “Yes; you bet you can bet your bottom dollar on it. You can bet your boots on it. I don't steal--only old junk. I don't steal money--” “No, I know you don't, Lem. But Miss Susan found the money in your pocket, did n't she?” “I don't care where she found it. I don't care what that old devil finds. I 'l'll get even with her!” “Did she find it in your pocket, Lem?” “Yes. Only that old Alberson had to hold me. I bet if _he_ had n't held me--” “Of course. And who put the money in your pocket, Lem?” “None of your--I mean, I won't say.” “Did _you?”_ Henrietta urged. “Did you put it in?” “I won't say.” “But, listen to me, Lem. Somebody stole some of Miss Susan's money--” “I know. _He_ did it,” Lem said. “Freeman Todder did it.” “But never mind that now. Miss Susan does n't know that. Did Freeman, here, put the money in your pocket?” “I won't say. I tell you I won't say. Nobody can get me to say.”