This did not seem to disturb her. Rather, it added to her interest. "No matter. We can stand it one night. I want to see the place. I would like to see a little of its street life to-night. It's all so new and strange to me." Kelley, perceiving that she was determined upon this stop-over, and fearing that the attempt to railroad her out of town on the afternoon train might add to her suspicions, then said: "I think we can find a place for you if you feel like staying." Morse was extremely uneasy, and Florence remarked upon it. "You don't seem overflowing with hospitality, Fred. You don't seem anxious to have us stay on for another day." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Well, it's a pretty rough old village, Flo--a pretty rough place for you and mother." "We are not alarmed so long as we have you and Mr. Kelley as our protectors," she replied, smiling sweetly upon Tall Ed. They had reached the car-line by this time, and were standing looking down the valley, and Fred, pulling out his watch, remarked: "You just have time to make that three-o'clock train. That will connect you with the night express for Los Angeles." "Fred, what's the matter with you?" queried his sister, sharply. "You seem absolutely determined to get rid of us at once." Then, seeing that she had perhaps gone a little too far, she said, with a smile, "Mother, isn't he the loving son?" The youth surrendered to her will and dropped all opposition. He appeared to welcome their decision to wait over another day; but Kelley busied himself with thinking how he could ward off any undesired information which might approach the two women--the mother especially. It would be quite wonderful if, with another twenty-four hours to spend, Florence did not get Fred's secret from him. He decided to put the matter squarely before her, and when they took the car arranged to have her sit beside him in a seat across the aisle from the mother and son, and almost immediately began his explanation by saying, very significantly: "I reckon the boy is right, Miss Morse. You had better take that three-o'clock train." She faced him with instant appreciation of the change in his tone. "Why so?" she asked, fixing a clear and steady glance upon his face. "It will be easier for him and better for--for all of us if you go. He wants to spare your mother from--" She was quick to perceive his hesitation. "From what?" she asked. And as he did not at once reply she went on, firmly: "You might just as well tell me, Mr. Kelley. Fred's been up to some mischief. He's afraid, and you're afraid, we'll find out something to his disadvantage. Now tell me. Is it--is it--a woman?" "No," said Kelley as decisively as he could. "So far as I know Fred's not tangled up _that_ way." Quick as a flash she took him up on his emphasized word. "In what way _is_ he tangled up?"