But Winnie was eagerly drinking in the story poured forth by the said
reporter, who was quite evidently enjoying his audience.

"Oh, Chet, this is Mr. Bemis of _The Meteor_. He's telling us all
about the--you know--what happened."

Winnie was too timid to say the word _murder,_ and I was sorry she had
to hear the awful tale from any one but myself. However, there was no
help for it now, and I joined the group and did all I could to bring
Aunt Lucy's eyebrows and nose down to their accustomed levels.

But it _was_ an awful story, make the best of it, and the truth had to
be told.

"It is appalling," conceded Aunt Lucy, at length, "but the most
regrettable circumstance, to my mind, is your connection with it all,
Chester."

"Now, Auntie, have a little heart for poor Mrs. Schuyler, and those
old lady sisters. Also for the man himself--"

"Oh, I have, Chet. I'm not inhuman. But those things are in the papers
every day, and while one feels a general sympathy, it can't be
personal if one doesn't know the people. But, for you to be mixed up
in such matters--"

"I wasn't mixed up in it, Aunt Lucy, except as I chose to mix myself.
And I've no doubt I should have gotten into it anyway. Mr. Bradbury
will have a lot to do with it, I'm sure. I'm no better than he to mix