Kitty stopped, expecting Eversleigh to speak, but he only looked at her sorrowfully.
"He told me," said Kitty after a pause, "that some house property of his, which was entrusted to your firm, had been sold without his consent or knowledge, and that the money had been misappropriated. Is it true?"
"I regret to have to answer, Kitty, that it is too true," replied Eversleigh, falteringly. "It is only too true," he repeated, shaking his head sadly, "too true."
"Won't you tell me all about it?" asked the girl. "I do so wish to help you if I can," she cried earnestly.
"Kitty, you are, as you always have been, a dear sweet girl," responded Eversleigh, with twitching lips and tears standing in his eyes; "but I am afraid you can do nothing."
"Perhaps I can. But let me know, will you not, how this frightful thing has come about?" she urged.
"It is a dreadful story, a shameful story, Kitty. I have tried to act for the best——"
He broke off with a sob.
"I shall never believe you were guilty of anything criminal!" she exclaimed.
"I did not steal the money; you are right, if that is what you mean, dear; but the law will hold me guilty."