"Thank you," replied Patience, "we need help. It seems as if we had exhausted all our own resources. But we mustn't stop now. Mother is worn out." "Perhaps," said Miss Masters, "it would be better if this young man should take your mother home. You and I may be able to talk the situation over more confidentially if we are alone." "You think you can help us?" inquired Patience eagerly. Miss Masters was thoughtful. "Yes," she said, "I believe I have unusual facilities for helping you. I know a great deal about Chicago--" "Then," said Patience, "I'll put our case in your hands. I know I can trust you. Somehow, I feel better already." She took Miss Masters' hands in her own, confidently. "Yes," returned Miss Masters, a little tremulously, "you can trust me." Harvey in the meantime had helped Mrs. Welcome with her wraps and was leading her toward the door. "I'll follow in a little while," said Patience, as the two passed out the door. "I'll be home in time for supper." "Now," said Miss Masters, after Harvey and Mrs. Welcome were gone, "first tell me if you have any money." Patience hesitated. Such a question coming from a stranger embarrassed her. "Yes," she said slowly, "I think we have enough money. Harvey brought fifty dollars with him and Mother was given some money by a man who came to our aid, in Millville--" "Millville?" interrupted Miss Masters. "Yes," continued Patience, "that is the town we live in. The man's name was Dudley--" "Dudley!" Patience looked at Miss Masters in surprise. "You know him?" she asked. Miss Masters hesitated. "The name seems familiar," she said. "He was a stranger in Millville," Patience went on. "My mother wired to her sister, Sarah, for money after Elsie left us and my father died. My aunt sent us forty dollars." There was a pause after this explanation, then Miss Masters went on hesitatingly. "Forgive me, Miss Welcome," she said, "if I speak plainly to you. Were there any strangers in Millville about the time your sister went away?" "Strangers?" repeated Patience. "Any attractive young men," pursued Miss Masters. "Why--why--I--" stammered Patience in confusion. "There were, I see." "You don't think my sister--" burst out Patience. "Forgive me," interrupted Miss Masters, "but when an innocent country girl leaves her home suddenly it is a good rule to look for--the man." "You think some one lured Elsie away?" said Patience stifled by the thought. "That some man is to blame?" "It isn't an easy thing to say, my dear, but I do." "Aren't there laws against such crimes?" "Yes," replied Miss Masters, "but these laws were made by men, and men have always shown an unwillingness to legislate against their sex. Now there were some young men in Millville at the time your sister went away, weren't there?" "Yes," admitted Patience, "two." "Do you know their names?" "Martin Druce." "Ah!" "You know him?"