“Miss Standish, Miss Helen, wait, I want to speak with you particularly. Is Tom Cooper here?”
Nellie staggered back against the wall.
“He has escaped from the prison, and is being traced toward here. He went as far as the sailor’s boathouse, and then further track of him was lost. Now then, little girl, if he is here tell me, for it will be better for him. I have been working upon his case for a long time; in fact, ever since you became fond of him, and it may be that he will be released. Don’t keep him hidden, Miss Standish.”
“He is not here; honestly he is not,” answered the girl.
“I believe you, child,” replied the detective, “and will say this much: Lately I have had reason to believe that the Jew who keeps the pawnshop in which your lover was arrested is a fraud, and he was the one who lodged a complaint against Cooper. But I cannot buy him over. Now my idea was that you were to listen and hear anything that might be said between your cousin and the Jew which would lead to the discovery of the man who stole the jewels.”
“I shall be too glad,” breathed the girl. “I believe that my lover is suffering for another’s crime. What you can do for me I will gladly pay for.”
“Then help yourself by listening.”
“Oh, won’t you stay here to-night, Mr. Arkwright? I think something is going to happen, and if it does I shall need you.”
“Then I shall stay,” said he, for what man could withstand such eyes and such pleading?
“I shall hide in here, then,” said he, “and if Tom Cooper comes here will you trust me with his future?”