And in fulfillment of this promise, Sara told young Allen. As she expected, he was stunned by the news, but where she had supposed he would show anger or rage, he showed only a deep sympathy for Maida. “Poor little girl,” he said, the quick tears springing to his eyes; “what dreadful thing can that man have held over her to force her to this? And what is the best way for me to go about remedying the situation? You know, Mrs. Wheeler, Maida wouldn’t talk like that unless she had arrived at a very desperate crisis——” “If she killed Mr. Appleby——” “She never did! No power on earth can make me believe that! Why, when Maida’s own confession doesn’t convince me, what else could? No; there’s some deep mystery behind that murder. I mean something far deeper and more mysterious than any of us yet realize. I think Mr. Stone is on track of the solution, but he cannot have made much progress—or, if he has, he hasn’t told of it yet. But, I’m not a detective—nor is any needed when Mr. Stone is on the case, but I am out to protect and clear my Maida—my darling. Poor child, how she is suffering! Where is she?” “Don’t go to her, Jeff. At least, not just now. She begged that you wouldn’t——” “But I must—I’ve got to!” “No; for her sake—Jeffrey dear, for our Maida’s sake, leave her alone for the present. She is so worried and anxious, so wrought up to the very verge of collapse, that if you try to talk to her she will go all to pieces.” “But that’s all wrong. I ought to soothe her, to comfort her—not make her more troubled!” “You ought to, I know, but you wouldn’t. Oh, it isn’t your fault—it isn’t that you don’t love her enough—not that she doesn’t love you enough—in fact, that’s just the trouble. Try to see it, Jeff. Maida is in the clutch of circumstances. I don’t know the facts, you don’t; but it is true that the kindest thing we can do for her just now is to leave her alone. She will do right——” “As she sees it, yes! But she sees wrong, I know she does! The child has always been overconscientious—and I’m positive that whatever she is up to, it’s something to save her father!” “Oh, Jeff—then you believe he is——” “Why, Mrs. Wheeler, don’t _you_ know whether your husband killed Mr. Appleby or not?” “I don’t know! Heaven help me—how can I know? The two of them, shielding each other——” “Wait a minute, if they are shielding each other—they’re both innocent!” “But it isn’t that way. Mr. Wheeler said to me, at first: ‘Of course, either Maida or I did it. We both know which one did it, but if we don’t tell, no one else can know.’” “I see that point; but I should think, knowing both so closely as you do, you could discern the truth—and”—he gazed at her steadily—“you have.” “Yes—I have. Of course, as you say, in such intimacy as we three are, it would be impossible for me not to know.” “And—it was Maida?” “Yes, Jeffrey.” “How are you certain?” “Her father saw her.” “Saw her shoot?” “Yes.”