She left them, and went blindly down the hall and threw herself on her bed. No one could see her now; there was no need to fight back the sobs that were stifling her. Somewhere out on the ocean was a man who loved her. What would he think of her now? Under this same roof were the persons who had taught her all that she knew of the good things of life; to them she was a thief--to them--no--not to all of them! Lola! Lola! She sat up suddenly, dry-eyed; her own words came back to her, "It was just me, or her," and again she said, this time to herself, "That's the awful--awful part of it." In the front room Dr. Barnhelm turned to John. "Doctor," he said, "there is what they call a 'plain-clothes man' that comes every night to the Athletic Club, as soon as he goes off duty. I could get him here in ten minutes. He might succeed where we have failed, and he would keep quiet about it, if I asked him to." "Get him." "Shall I get him, Lola?" He turned to her with something like a warning in his voice. "Why yes, John. I am very fond of Maria, and I want you to make everything as easy for her as you can." "I will be back in fifteen minutes." He turned and left the room, and the house. He was stunned. Maria did not take that money! He was sure of that. He could not have told why, but he was sure. There could be no doubt. He had seen the truth in her eyes. If she did not take it--who did? To him also came back Maria's words, "It was just me--or her." He put that thought out of his mind, or tried to. He must know. If Maria did not do this thing she must not be allowed to suffer for it, of that alone he was sure. They must know! He crossed to Broadway, almost running, and jumped on a downtown car. It was only a few blocks, but he must return as quickly as possible. "How are you, Dorris? Here's a seat." John looked up at the words and recognized Dr. Rupert. "Good evening, Doctor. Thank you." He sat down beside the Doctor, keeping his eyes fixed on the passing street signs, anxious that he should not be taken past his corner. "It was very kind of your wife, Doctor," he began pleasantly, more to make conversation than for any other reason, "to do so much to help Miss Barnhelm this afternoon. I hope that she did not tire herself." "You haven't been taking a drop too much, have you, John?" exclaimed Dr. Rupert, smiling broadly. "Why?" "My wife sailed for Europe, Tuesday." CHAPTER XI LOLA TRAPPED "Fifteen minutes he said." Dr. Crossett glanced up at the clock. "He should be here very soon now." "I cannot see what difference a few minutes can possibly make, nor can I see what this 'plain-clothes man,' as John calls him, can do when he gets here," said Lola impatiently. "The whole thing seems absurd to me. What can one man do more than another?"