damages and send him to State prison."

"No, no!" cried Alida passionately. "I don't want to see him again, and I
won't go to a court before people unless I am dragged there."

The sergeant looked up at the policeman who had arrested her and said, "This
story is not contrary to anything you saw?"

"No, sir; she was wandering about and seemed half out of her mind."

"Well, then, I can let you go."

"But I don't know where to go," she replied, looking at him with hunted,
hollow eyes. "I feel as if I were going to be sick. Please don't turn me into
the streets. I'd rather go back to the cell--"

"That won't answer. There's no place that I can send you to except the
poorhouse. Haven't you any money?"

"No, sir. I just rushed away and left everything when I learned the truth."

"Tom Watterly's hotel is the only place for her," said the policeman with a
nod.

"Oh, I can't go to a hotel."

"He means the almshouse," explained the sergeant. "What is your name?"

"Alida--that's all now. Yes, I'm a pauper and I can't work just yet. I'll be
safe there, won't I?"