“What do you mean—all hinges on that?” Zizi asked, in rather a loud, clear tone. Wise took her hint,—it was a standing arrangement with them,—and answered in an equally loud voice: “I mean, that if the presence of Miss Everett in the hall that night can be innocently explained, it will save Mrs Everett from——” “From arrest!” spoke up Letitia, grimly. “Arrest!” Mrs Everett gasped, and burst into hysterical weeping. Zizi’s covert glance toward an inner door was rewarded and Dorcas flung it wide open and ran into the room. “I can explain it!” she cried, “I’ve been listening, and I’ll tell. I was in the hall late that night, but it wasn’t as late as two o’clock. Whoever says it was tells an untruth. I was in the hall about midnight to,—to meet somebody.” “Me,” said Bates, calmly. “This is no time for hiding any facts. I wanted to see Dorcas on a special and important matter. She had tried all the evening to get away from her mother but that lady was too watchful, so Dorcas sent me word by a maid that she would grant me a moment’s interview in the hall after her people were asleep. This she did, and while we have no wish to exploit it, yet it was nothing wrong. Dorcas is my affianced wife, and as her mother is not in favor of our union it has been necessary for us to meet clandestinely.” “And this was about midnight?” asked Wise, apparently not interested in the clandestine part of it. “Yes, not any later.” “It was twelve when I got back to my room,” averred Dorcas. “Any one who tells a different story is making it up.” There was no doubting the statement of the clear young voice or the truth stamped on the sweet young face, and all present believed her. Mrs Everett forebore to chide, so interested was she in learning if this confession would clear her from suspicion. “We must look up the girl who told the story,” said the detective. “The statement was about a veiled figure, and the assertion that it was Miss Everett was not from a dependable source. But I believe Miss Everett implicitly, and I want to see about some other details before I go further in the matter at all. “I’ll see that girl who told you the yarn, Penny,” Zizi said, thoughtfully; “you go and look up those other people,—you know——” “Very well, go ahead. It was Molly.” “Of course it was. She’s a _News-Herald_. If you want to know _anything_ ask Molly. I’m going to ask her now.” “I’ll go with you,” volunteered Dorcas, looking a little nervous and agitated. “Come along,” said Zizi, smiling at her, and Zizi’s smile was full of comfort and cheer. Mrs Everett began to say, “Oh, no, my child,” but before she could protest Dorcas and Zizi had left the room. “You see,” Zizi began to the other girl as they went to Zizi’s room, “Molly is crooked.” “Lame?”