He's--"

"Madam, I am not a policeman," said Odell-Carney with scathing dignity.
"I want your husband to aid me in hushing this c'nfended thing."

"He shan't do it! I won't permit him to be mixed up in it," almost
screamed Mrs. Rodney. "I've just heard that he isn't a husband at all.
It's atrocious!"

"Bless me, Mrs. Rodney," roared Odell-Carney, "then you oughtn't to be
living with him if he isn't your husband. You're as bad as-- Hi, look
out, there! Don't do that!" Mrs. Rodney had collapsed into her
daughter's arms, gasping for breath.

"She's all upset, Mr. Odell-Carney," said Katherine, shaking her mother
soundly. "It's just nerves. If you see papa, send him to us. We must
take the _first_ train for--for anywhere. Will you tell Mrs.
Odell-Carney that if she'll get ready at once, papa will see to the
tickets."

"Tickets? But, my dear young lady, we're not going anywhere. We're going
to stay here and see your cousin out of her troubles. My wife is with
her now."

He started away as Mr. Rodney came puffing up the stairs. Odell-Carney
changed his mind and waited.

"Where's Edith?" panted Mr. Rodney.

"Good heavens!" groaned his wife, lowering her voice because three