"I can guess," he said, grimly. "It has to do with the sheriff's visit the other day. I felt that something was wrong from the way your father acted. He tries to treat me the same, but can't." Mary lowered her head. She toyed with his big fingers as a nervous child might have done. "I think Albert started his brother's suspicions against you soon after you came to us," she said, gently. "Suspicions?" Charles was speaking merely to fill awkward pauses. "Yes, it is outrageous, but he has you mixed up with the men who left the circus when you did. I suppose his idea is to get information from you if he can--force it from you by unfair means. A man like him will balk at nothing to gain his point." "I can give him no information," Charles answered, in a low, forced tone. "I knew such men were with the circus, and that they had left about the time I did, but I did not even know them personally." "I know that," Mary said, her hand now like a lifeless thing in his clasp, "but you do not want to be arrested and--and questioned, do you?" He started, stared steadily, and then released her hand. "No," he answered, after a pause, "I don't want to go through that. I am sorry to have to admit it to you, but it is a fact. I am--am really not prepared for--for that. In fact, that is why I left the circus just when I did. The report was out that the entire company was to be grilled, and I had reasons for--for--But I think you know what I mean. I've tried hard to make you understand that I am unworthy of--" "Stop!" Mary cried, sharply. "This is no time to go through all that. I know you are worthy, and that settles it. But I have not told you all. Charlie, you are being watched day and night." "Watched?" he exclaimed. "Yes, the sheriff told father so, and I myself have seen the men. One in the day and another at night. At this very moment we may be under the eye of one of them." "What is the sheriff's object?" Charles asked, in a tone of dead despair. "I mean in having me shadowed this way?" "I think he has an idea that the friend of yours who was here the other day is in some way connected with the men he is after, and that he may return to see you." "Thank Heaven, Mike is gone, and is out of it!" Charles said, half to her and as much to himself. "It would have been terrible if that poor chap had been drawn into it. Well, well, you see what I have brought down on you for so kindly giving me work and shelter and treating me as an equal when I am simply an outlaw trying to escape imprisonment." "Hush! hush!" Mary cried, fiercely. "I shall not listen to you." He had made a movement as if to rise, but again she caught his hand and detained him. "I know what you are at heart, and that is all I want to know of your affairs. You have said you were bound by honor not to tell everything, and I would not want you to break your word even to enlighten me."