is not that, but--but really I cannot permit you to accompany me
farther."

"Only to the place where you said you lived," I urged eagerly. "I
promise not even to take note of the number, and will never bother you
any more."

Her fine eyes hardened; then sank slowly before mine.

"That--that was a lie also," she acknowledged, half defiantly. "I--I
do not live about here."

I stared at her in sudden doubt, yet remained loyal to my first
impression.

"All the greater reason then for not leaving you here alone."

She laughed, a faint tinge of bitterness in the sound.

"Surely you cannot imagine I would feel any safer in company with a
burglar?" she asked sharply. My face flushed.

"Why accuse me of that?" I asked quickly. "Merely because I was in
that yard?"

She drew back a step, one hand grasping her skirt.

"Not altogether. You were hiding there, and--and you were afraid of
the policeman."