“Maybe he could. Louis is not much on the strong-arm work, but he has desperate determination, and if he went there to get that money—and if Mr Gleason wouldn’t give it to him—let me see—I suppose Gleason must have said that his condition was your acceptance of his suit!” “I suppose so,” Phyllis agreed. “He knew how I love Louis, and he often tried to get him to persuade me to do various things. Louis is my idol. I’ve always adored him. I really brought him up, for mother died when he was so little. We’re far closer to one another than most brothers and sisters. Oh, Ivy, what can I do?” “Hush, let me think. I wish I wasn’t so sure Louis did the thing. But, you see, he was right there—johnny-on-the-spot! And he was mad—and he was desperate—and Mr Gleason’s pistol was handy-by—and he was at the end of his rope—alone with him there—oh, of course, it was inevitable. How has he acted since?” “Queerly,” Phyllis admitted. “He’s nervous and jumpy, and afraid of everybody.” “Of course he is. Well, Phyllis, he’ll have to run away.” “Oh, no!” “Yes, he will. It’s all very well to be shocked at the idea, and to prefer to have him face the music—but the risk is too great! Even if he should be innocent—and he can’t be—they’d put him through with bells on!” “What do you mean?” “I mean as soon as the police get Louis in their mind as a suspect, they’ll pounce on him, and they’ll fasten it on him, no matter what he says.” “Railroad him——” “That’s not quite the word. You don’t know much about these things, do you? Railroad is a term they use about innocent suspects, and Louis——” “Oh, Ivy, how can you? Stop! Don’t you love him, too?” “Oh, in a way. But it’s enough of a way to want him to get off! I tell you he must vanish—disappear. And that big money must be paid, or those people will be after him. You know all about that deal?” “Yes; and I may as well tell you, I was out that afternoon, in a taxicab with—with Bill Halsey.” “Halsey! You! Oh, you poor dear.” “Oh, he was respectful—very decent, in fact. He was to go with me to Mr Gleason—I was expected, you see—and I was to try to persuade Mr Gleason to pay that debt and free Louis from the sharks. I knew Mr Gleason’s price would be my promise to marry him—and—I expected to pay.” “Well, why didn’t you go to Gleason’s?” “Because—as we neared there, we saw Louis going in!” “What time was that?” “Oh, I don’t know. It’s all a horrid nightmare. I turned around and went right home. No, not right home; we drove around a bit, trying to decide what to do. Mr Halsey was nice; he said for me to follow up my brother or to wait developments, just as I chose. Of course, I said I’d wait and learn the result of Louis’ visit—I knew what he went for.” “And since—since we know the result of Louis’ visit, has Mr Halsey been after you?”