“Why, no,” she said, slowly, “I don’t believe it ever has.”
“Then realize it now. Truly, dear Miss Wheeler, I am not only the one who can best help you, but I am the only one who can help you at all—please try to see that.”
“For half a dozen very good reasons. First, I suppose you know that you are in no enviable position regarding the death of Mr. Appleby. Oh, I know you didn’t kill him——”
“If you did, you couldn’t take it so calmly——”
“How dare you say I take it calmly? What do you know about it? Just because I don’t go about in hysterics—that’s not my nature—is no sign that I’m not suffering tortures——”
“You poor, sweet child—I know you are! Oh, little girl, dear little girl—can’t you—won’t you let me look out for you——”
The words were right enough, but the tone in which they were uttered, the look that accompanied them, frightened Maida. She knew at once how this man regarded her.
Intuition told her it was better not to resent his speech or meaning, so she only said, quietly:
“Every way. Give yourself to me—be my own, own little Maida——”
“Mr. Keefe, stop! You forget you are talking to an engaged girl——”
“I did forget—please forgive me.” In a moment he was humble and penitent. “I lost my head. No, Miss Wheeler, I ask no reward, I want to help you in any and every way—remembering you are to be the bride of Mr. Allen.”
“Only after I’m acquitted of this crime. They never convict a woman, do they, Mr. Keefe?”
“So that’s what you’re banking on! And safely, too. No, Miss Wheeler, no judge or jury would ever convict you of murder. But, all the same, it’s a mighty unpleasant process that brings about your acquittal, and I advise you not to go through with it.”
“But I’ve got to. I’ve confessed my crime; now they have to try me—don’t they?”
“You innocent baby. Unless—look here, you’re not—er—stringing me, are you?”
“I mean, you didn’t really do the job, did you?”
“I did.” The calm glance of despair might have carried conviction to a less skeptical hearer, but Keefe only looked puzzled.
“I can’t quite make you out,” he declared; “either you’re a very brave heroine—or——”
Maida laughed outright. “That’s it,” she said, and her laughter became a little hysterical. “I _am_ nutty, and I own up to it. Do you think we can enter a plea of insanity?”