“She doesn’t mean anything of the kind,” put in Bob savagely. “She just extended the hand of friendship. She’s a good fellow, that is all, and I won’t have you imply the slightest thing against her. You understand that, Mr. Bogus Lord?” “I only asked a question,” observed the monocle-man humbly. “Well, you’ve got the answer.” In the same aggressive manner. “She’s a—a brick and I won’t have any harm come to her on my account.” “None of us would have any harm come to Dolly,” said Gwendoline coldly. “I wanted him to elope with me, but he wouldn’t,” went on the temperamental little thing, thinking fast. Bob listened in despair. “I didn’t know then it was only friendship I felt. I thought it was love. And when he refused, I was furious. To be revenged, I went to that horrid man”—looking at him of the monocle—“and told him a pack of lies.” “Lies?” said the monocle-man, smiling sweetly and screwing his glass in farther. “Yes, and that’s the reason I shall give on the witness-stand.” Defiantly. “I’ll tell the truth there—let every one know how horrid and wicked I was.” The monocle-man shook his head with mild disapproval. “What do you say to that, Mr. Bennett?” he asked softly. “Of course I can’t let her do anything to incriminate herself,” answered Bob mournfully. “To prevent her doing so I shall have to avow right now—? and I do”—firmly—“that those were not lies, but truths she told you.” “Please!—please!—” said jolly little pal piteously. “Truths!” said Bob again boldly. Miss Dolly gave a great sigh. “Are you going to confess you are guilty of all they charge?” “I am not.” Stubbornly. “I am not guilty.” “I’m rather afraid certain evidence, including Miss Dolly’s truths, which you acknowledge as such, might tend to show you are,” suggested the monocle-man. Again Miss Dolly thought fast. Bob wouldn’t let her declare her accusations of him lies; therefore only one alternative remained. “_I_ have a confession to make,” she said solemnly. Bob looked startled. “Don’t!—” he began. He wondered into what new realm her inventive faculties would lead her. “Mr. Bennett,” observed the monocle-man gravely, “I have to remind you that anything you say can be used against you. And your manner now, in seeking to restrain or interfere with what Miss Dolly has to say, will certainly hurt your case.” Bob groaned. He cast hunted eyes upon Miss Dolly. The jolly little pal breathed hard, but there was a look of determination in the dark soulful eyes. “Mr. Mike Something, or whatever your name is,” she said to the monocle-man in a low tense tone, “I am all that which you suggested.” He overlooked the scornful mode of address. He rubbed his hands softly; his eyes were pleased. “You mean about agreeing to be accomplices and to divide the ‘swag’?” “Yes.” Fatalistically. Bob groaned again.