"Don't go, please, Mr. Bastable. I have something to tell you," she said, looking up from the paper. "About this. I must go away at once."
"No, no, Althea," declared Bessie. "We shan't let you go, shall we, Paul?"
"I will tell you, and you will see that I must. You know what is here about the Baron von Ringheim, Mr. Bastable. This is evidently the reason for my arrest. I have misled every one. I did it for Chalice's sake. My name is not Korper at all; it is that"--and she pointed to the paper--"von Ringheim. I am his daughter. Now you will understand why I must hide."
There was a pause. I looked at Bessie, and our eyes met.
I took the police advertisement from my pocket and handed it to her in silence. She read it at a glance, and read also my meaning--that I would not let her decide what to do without knowing all the facts.
She gave it back to me with a smile.
"While you were at the station, Paul, I had a quarrel with Gretchen. She was insolent, so I discharged her on the spot."
I breathed a sigh of relief. She was with me in the resolve to stand by Althea, let the consequences be what they might.
CHAPTER III
CHALICE