“Well, I had to. I can’t see Phyllis dragged through a trial—and she would say or do anything to shield Louis. So I thought I’d throw myself into the breach.” “You’ve certainly done so—whether for good or ill.” CHAPTER XVI Buddy “Now that the money is paid, Phyllis, dear, and the whole matter is hushed up, Louis will never be suspected of having had anything to do with that Bill Halsey gang. It was a narrow escape—if the story had come out, it would have stained the boy’s reputation badly. But, thanks to your quick action and watchful care, your brother is released from their clutches and you need worry about that no more.” “Thanks, too, to your kindness in letting me have the money. I will repay you just as soon as Mr Lane settles financial matters enough to give it to me out of my inheritance.” “No hurry about it. Instead of that, let’s talk about ourselves. When are you going to let me give you a ring?” “Oh, not yet,” and Phyllis looked distressed. “Wait till this awful matter of the Gleason death is explained.” “Will it ever be?” Pollard spoke gravely, and added, “Do you want it to be?” “Oh,” she cried, “don’t look like that! Do _you_ suspect Louis, too? Buddy never did it! Never!” “No, of course he didn’t. Do you sometimes think Phil——” “Philip Barry! No! He says he did, to shield my brother——” “And you.” “Me!” “Yes. Let’s speak frankly, Phyllis. I can’t bear to fence or quibble with you. Now, you know, you and Louis were there——” “Oh, no, we weren’t—well—maybe we were—oh, I don’t know what I’m saying.” “Poor little girl. Don’t try to make up stories to me. Tell me just how it was—or, don’t tell me anything—as you wish, but don’t tell me what isn’t so. I can’t help you if you do that.” Phyllis looked at him searchingly. She trusted him—and yet, she hesitated to put into words her own suspicions of Louis. “I’m sure Phil Barry is shielding some one else,” she began. “But, dear, that letter—how could that have been written, except by Barry?” “Now, don’t you prevaricate to me!” she cried; “you know whatever is the explanation of the letter, Phil Barry isn’t guilty!” “I don’t know any such thing! If Barry wrote the letter, he must have meant something by it, and until he is proved innocent, there’s good reason for suspecting him.” “Don’t you suspect Louis?” Phyllis asked directly, facing Pollard with a straightforward gaze. “Don’t ask me, dear. If I did—if I do—I wouldn’t say so, because—because I love you. Confide in me—please do, darling. If you suspect your brother, tell me so, and I’ll do all I can to divert suspicion from him.” “Even if you think him guilty?” “Certainly. If Louis did it—he was blinded by rage, or, moved by a sudden homicidal impulse born of desperation——” “But that doesn’t excuse him.” “Not to the law—but to me, he is excused because he is your brother——” “Yes, my brother—my little Buddy—oh, Manning, I can’t face it!” “You weren’t there, too—at the time?”