He recognized Helen Baldwin's voice, and it shook with emotion, as she made certain she was talking to him.
"Oh, Larry," she said, "I must see you! I must—to-night, if possible! Please come!"
"What is the matter, Helen?" he asked anxiously. "It's impossible to come to-night—and after the last"——
"I know, I know, Larry," she said rapidly. "Please, please forget all that. I didn't understand! I didn't know! I've found out something that showed me how bad and wicked I have been. I didn't mean to bring harm to you"——
"Uncle came home," she said. "He'd been drinking. He made terrible threats against you."
"I'll be up to-night," said McCarthy.
"Better look out—it's a trap," warned Swanson, who had heard McCarthy promise to call that night.
"There's something wrong up there," replied McCarthy. "I'm going to Baldwin's house to-night."
They went downstairs talking in low tones. On the parlor floor Betty Tabor was sitting reading. She had scarcely spoken to McCarthy since the day she had heard him in conversation with Helen Baldwin. Impulsively she dropped her book and came toward him with her hand outstretched.
"Mr. McCarthy," she said rapidly, "I wanted to tell you—I do not believe a word of these horrible things the paper says about you. It is hateful! I told them they were false. I didn't think they'd dare tell others"——