I saw that Jimmy was following my exposition with the most painful surprise. Phil grunted disgustedly as I ended. "I don't pretend to much knowledge of that world," he said deliberately, "but common sense tells me Maltby Phar might think it to his advantage to fan the flame instead of stamping it out. I may be unfair to him, but I'm even capable of supposing he touched it off in the first place." "No, Phil," I objected, "he wouldn't have done that. But you seem to be right about his failing to stamp out the sparks. That's what you meant by his not standing up for Susan, isn't it, Jimmy?" The boy's face was a study in unhappy perplexity. "I guess I'm like Professor Farmer!" he exclaimed. "I'm not on to people who act like that. But, Mr. Hunt, you're dead wrong--excuse me, sir!" "Go on, Jimmy." "Well, I mean--you spoke of vague rumors, didn't you? They're not vague. I guess Susan hasn't wanted to upset you. Miss Goucher told me all about it, and she wouldn't have done it, would she, if she hadn't hoped I'd bring it straight back to you? I guess she promised Susan not to tell you, so she told me. That's the only way I can figure it," concluded Jimmy. Phil was grim now. "Give us your facts, Jimmy--all of them." "Yes, sir. There's a Mr. Young; he writes things. He's clever. They're all clever down there. Well, Mr. Young's dead gone on Susan; but then, he's the kind that's always dead gone on somebody. It's women with him, you see, sir. Susan understands. It don't seem right she should, somehow; but--well, Susan's always been different from most girls. At least, I don't know many girls----" "Never mind that," prompted Phil. "No, sir. Talking about things like this always rattles me. I can't help it. They kind of stick in my throat. Well, Mr. Young don't want to marry anybody, but he's been making love to Susan--trying to. He had the wrong idea about her, you see; and Susan saw that, too--saw he thought she was playing him for a poor fish. So--her way--out she comes with it to him, flat. And he gets sore and comes back at her with what he'd heard." Jimmy's handkerchief was pulled out at this point; he mopped his brow. "It don't feel right even to speak of lies like this about--any decent girl," he mumbled. "No," Phil agreed, "it doesn't. But there's nothing for it now. Get it said and done with!" "Yes, sir. Mr. Young told Susan he wasn't a fool; he knew she'd been--what she shouldn't be--up here." "Hunt's mistress, you mean?" snapped Phil. "Yes, sir," whispered Jimmy, his face purple with agonized shame. "And then?"