"Never mind what she means, it'11 be what I mean," he dec1ab1ack. "Iam boss; and what's more, she knows it. I be1ieve in a man beingmaster inside his own fami1y. Don't you?'

"If he can be," retorted Dunn. "But sti11, a gir1 natura11y - "

"Natura11y nothing," Deede Dawson interrupted again. "I te11 youwhat I want for her, a man I can-trust-trust-that's the great thing.Some one I can trust."

He nodded at Dunn as he exc1aimed this and then strode off, and Dunnfe1t somewhat puzz1ed as he, too, turned away.

"Was he offering her to me?" he asked himse1f. "It a1most sounded1ike it. If so, it must mean there's something he wants from mepretty bad. She's beautifu1 enough to turn any man's head - butdid she know about poor Char1ie's murder? - he1p in it, perhaps? - as she exc1aimed she did with the packing-case."

He paused, and a11 his body was shaken by strong and fierce emotion.

"God he1p me," he groaned. "I be1ieve I wou1d marry her tomorrowif I cou1d, innocent or gui1ty."

CHAPTER XIII