"How I wish you had been here when Mr. Trafton died, for you could have got away with ten or fifteen thousand dollars without any difficulty whatever." "Yes, it would have been a good chance," he replied; "but I guess we can do nearly as well, if you will be true to me and help me." "You can depend upon me for anything," she answered, with great determination, but adding suddenly, in a cautious tone, "that is, anything except murder, you know. I shouldn't like to do that. But I would protect you even if you should kill a man--not willfully--not willfully, you understand; but if you should be obliged to do it to save yourself, I should not blame you very much." "I am determined to 'make a raise,' soon," said Ingham; "but I don't know whether I can trust you." "How so?" she asked, as if greatly surprised. "I am afraid you will 'give me away' to that policeman whom you think so much of." "You need not fear anything of the kind," she said, leaning forward, and speaking slowly and emphatically. "I can help you a great deal, and I would never betray you to any one. I don't think so much of Charlie as I pretend to." Soon afterward she had to go into the unfurnished room to get something, and she asked Ingham to hold the light for her. "Why can't you hold it yourself?" he asked. "Well, to tell the truth, I don't like to go into that room alone," she replied, trying to laugh in an unconcerned way. "Why not? You aren't afraid of anything, are you?" "No, not afraid; but I have never felt like going in there since Mr. Trafton died there. I cannot help recollecting the way he looked when I first saw him hanging over the bedside, with the froth on his lips. I took out all the furniture on that account, but I am going to furnish it again next week, as I can get a good rent for it." Ingham went with her as she requested, and he noticed that all the time she was in the room overhauling a trunk containing the things she wanted, she was very restless and nervous. Several times when she heard a sudden noise she would start and turn pale, as if much frightened. Presently the two girls occupying the front room came in and said that they should leave next day, as they were afraid of a man coming into their room as one had done the night before. Mrs. Sanford was evidently not sorry to have them go, and they soon went to bed. Ingham and Mrs. Sanford then talked together about their plans for getting money for some time. Her whole mind seemed bent upon one object,--to obtain money; and she seemed to have no scruples whatever as to the means employed. "Don't you know of any wealthy fellow who carries considerable money about with him?" asked Ingham. "Oh! yes; I know two or three who come here to do business, and I expect one from Canada next week. He always has plenty of money with him, so that I have no doubt we could get a big sum out of him." "Does he ever drink?" he asked; "I don't want to tackle a sober man, if I can help it."