"His name is Ben Mauprat, a thoroughly worthless fellow, but one in whom I have been interested myself. He——"
"I think the message is intended for me, sir!" interrupted Evelyn, with perfect composure. "You say that Mauprat has gotten himself into trouble?"
"Yes; a trouble that is more serious than he thinks, perhaps. He is charged with attempted murder!"
"Indeed!"
For all the coolness of her utterance a frightful pallor overspread the face of the beautiful girl, that seemed to threaten unconsciousness.
Kingsley took a step toward her as though to offer assistance, but she recovered herself and smiled.
"Those things are so dreadful for a lady to contemplate," he said, deprecatingly. "I am sorry to have shocked you, Miss Chandler."
"I beg that you will give it no consideration whatever. Do you know who it was that he attempted to kill?"
"His wife, I think."
"I suppose so. Those men always do try to injure the ones who are most necessary to them. And what message was it that he sent me?"