exact truth today. I made you think that Max Schimmel asked me to come here. That was not true. I asked him to arrange that I might see you here, because I had something that I knew now I must tell you. The emerald is gone, and no one knows where it can be; and because of that I am in terrible trouble. But first I wish you would sit down again, because you are weak and hurt; and I will sit here by you. But until I have finished, please do not look at me any more than you can help, and please—until I have quite finished—do not touch me."
He watched her in amazement as she set a chair near his own.
"It is something such as no girl ever should have to tell," she said, not looking at him, and her face deeply crimson. "I should not be able to tell it even now, except that the
