"That's just like you!" exclaimed Ida. "Leave me to shoulder all the shame. No, Sid Wilcox! I've risked enough for you! I'm done! If you don't go to the Kimballs' this very afternoon and tell everything, I shall go to the police and relate to them all that I know about the missing money, the bonds and the wallet. The detectives will be glad enough to get the reward."
Sid was really afraid now. His face was pale, and his voice shook as he answered:
"I'll—I'll make it all good now. I have the money. Can't you—can't you give it back to Ed, the way the bonds—"
"No!"
"Not to help me out?"
"No!"
"But you promised—"
"I promised too much! Will you tell everything, or—"
There was a moment's silence. Sid was battling with his mean nature. Even yet he was trying to find a way of escape—to discover some plan by which he could avoid the shame of making a humiliating confession.
"Well?" asked Ida, and there was a new ring in her voice.