"You don't mean she's going to law!"
"It's what my wife says would serve you right; and I agree with her. Just let this community know that solely on the statements of a cur you kicked out of your own employ you had defamed that brave, honest girl, and there'd be a tempest about your head compared to which this riot was a zephyr."
Allison's wrath was cooling now. He sank back in a chair and stared gloomily at the librarian. "Where is that" (gulp) "Elmendorf?" he finally asked.
"In jail, I hope; in the gutter, the last time I heard of him, being pommelled by her brother. Major Cranston and Mr. Forrest are looking for him."
"What do they want?" asked Allison, suspiciously.
"Several things; one is to find out how much he will admit having told you, and how much to hold you solely responsible for."
Allison fidgeted for a moment, and then turned again upon the librarian. "You mean to tell me that you think she's entirely good and honest and all that, do you?"
"No. I told you I knew she was."
"Well, then, what does it mean that Forrest is trying to hunt up or run down my witnesses?"
"It simply means that he's a gentleman who intends to defend the girl whose name you have coupled with his."