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"Yes," said Barbara. She was not quite sure whether to feel offended, or not. But

the memory of Billy's antecedents came to his rescue. Of course he didn't know

that it was such terribly bad form to broach such a subject to her, she thought.

Well, then," continued the mucker, "wot's up? Mallory's de guy fer youse. Youse

loved him or youse wouldn't have got engaged to him."

The statement was almost an interrogation.

Barbara nodded affirmatively.

You see, Billy," she started, "I have always known Mr. Mallory, and always

thought that I loved him until--until--" There was no answering light in Billy's

eyes--no encouragement for the words that were on her lips. She halted lamely.

Then," she went on presently, "we became engaged after we reached New York.

We all thought you dead," she concluded simply.

Do you think as much of him now as you did when you promised to marry him?"

he asked, ignoring her reference to himself and all that it implied.

Barbara nodded.

"What is at the bottom of this row?" persisted Billy. He had fallen back into the

decent pronunciation that Barbara had taught him, but neither noticed the

change. For a moment he had forgotten that he was playing a part. Then he

recollected.

Nothing much," replied the girl. "I couldn't rid myself of the feeling that they had

murdered you, by leaving you back there alone and wounded. I began to think

coward' every time I saw Mr. Mallory. I couldn't marry him, feeling that way

toward him, and, Billy, I really never LOVED him as--as--" Again she stumbled,

but the mucker made no attempt to grasp the opportunity opened before him.

Instead he crossed the library to the telephone. Running through the book he

came presently upon the number he sought. A moment later he had his

connection.

Is this Mallory?" he asked.

I'm Byrne--Billy Byrne. De guy dat cracked your puss fer youse on de Lotus."

Dead, hell! Not me. Say, I'm up here at Barbara's."

Yes, dat's wot I said. She wants youse to beat it up here's swift as youse kin beat

it."

146

The Mucker