lieve that he stole my necklace. She agreed with me that that theft was a put-up job on the part of your former confrères who used you as a scapegoat. But she argued that inasmuch as this had occurred you felt that there was no sense in having the name without the game, and that you had come down the next night and stolen mine."
"Miss Dalghren must have a beautiful idea of my sense of gratitude," said I.
"She has had some bitter experiences where gratitude was concerned, Frank," Edith answered. "Besides, while a sweet and sympathetic girl, she is not over bright. You see, Frank, I am not holding back a single thing from you. It is better that you should know exactly how you stand with us."
"And you, Edith?" I asked.
A warm flush came into her lovely face. "I know that you are innocent of any wrong, Frank," said she.
My friend, for a moment I could scarcely speak. Something rose in my throat and choked me, and there was a mist in my eyes. I reached for Edith's hand and raised it to my lips.
"Thank you, Edith," was all I could manage to say.
For a moment or two neither of us spoke. Edith was looking at me questioningly.
"Is there anything that you can tell me?" she asked. "I have no doubts, Frank, but I am curious." She smiled.
For the instant I was tempted to tell her the whole story. I felt that her quiet faith in me entitled her
