"I can't--even if she'll have me."

"Why can't you?"

"I'm afraid of the law."

An uneasy smile hung at Carnac's lips. He suddenly caught Fabian's
shoulder in a strong grip. "We've never been close friends, Fabian.
We've always been at sixes and sevens, and yet I feel you'd rather do me
a good turn than a bad one. Let me ask you this--that you'll not believe
anything bad of me till you've heard what I've got to say. Will you do
that?"

Fabian nodded. "Of course. But if I were you, I wouldn't bet on myself,
Carnac. Junia's worth running risks for. She's got more brains than my
wife and me together, and she bosses us; but with you, it's different.
I think you'd boss her. You're unexpected; you're daring; and you're
reckless."

"Yes, I certainly am reckless."

"Then why aren't you reckless now? You're going away. Why, you haven't
even told her you love her. The other man--is here, and--I've seen him
look at her? I know by the way she speaks of him how she feels.
Besides, he's a great masterful creature. Don't be a fool! Have a try
. . . Junia--Junia," he called.

The figure in the garden with the flowers turned. There was a flicker of
understanding in the rare eyes. The girl held up a bunch of flowers high