There followed a short interval of relief, during which Lilas pretended to be making ready, then upon the very eve of her departure she sent for him in much haste and awoke him rudely from his trance. She began by saying that his kindness and liberality had aroused in her a desire to live and to begin anew, if not for her own, then for his and Lorelei's sakes, but that she was in terrible trouble. Her punishment had sought her out after all. It was a long time before Bob could make head or tail out of what she told him, but eventually he learned that in the hour of her deepest dejection she had confided her secret to others, and the result of this confidence had now arisen to thwart all their plans. With a dizzy feeling of insecurity Bob asked, "Who did you tell?" "Melcher. He sent me money to come home with, and he seemed to be my only friend." "Friend! I thought you and he were enemies." "Oh, he doesn't love me and he doesn't hate me," Lilas explained. "He seemed sorry for me, and I was grateful for any sympathy, no matter where it came from. You see, I didn't know what I was doing, and I didn't realize my mistake until it was too late." "Melcher of all people!" Bob groaned. "Wait--that's not all. You see, I wanted to go clean, and yet I was afraid of the police, so Max advised me to hire a lawyer who'd get me off light. Well, I did." "Goldberg, I suppose." Bob breathed a malediction as Lilas nodded. "Why didn't you hire a hall or book yourself through the Lyceum Bureau?" "Don't be hard on me." Lilas had foresworn the stage, but she did a creditable bit of emotional acting. "A frantic woman will do almost anything." "Well, present your bill in full. What's the next misfortune?" "I had no idea men could be so vile. Yesterday I told Max of the change in my plans; that you've made life possible to me and showed me that I couldn't go through without consequences to others. He--" She dropped her hands in a gesture of resignation. "What's the use? You know the kind of man he is." "Go on." Lilas began to weep silently, rocking her body to and fro. "It's just my luck--when I had another chance, too! I don't care for my own sake, but I do love--Lorelei; and you've certainly been a prince, Bob." "Good Lord! Max can't insist on your giving yourself up. Why, that's absurd!" "Oh, he doesn't care what becomes of me. It's--it's--" Lilas broke out in a passion: "I never thought I was putting you in his power, and--and Lorelei, too--and Jim, and Mr. Merkle. Of course you won't believe that, but I can't help what you think. I wouldn't blame you for--killing me. Why, I'd go to the chair to keep you people clear, but--those are the facts. Now you've got it all." "Max sees money in sight, I presume?"