I'll stop things if I can." Larry made no reply.

The Duchess continued looking at him steadily for a long space.

He knew she was thinking; and he was wondering what was passing through that shrewd old brain, when she remarked: "By the way, Larry, I just remembered what you told me of that old Sing Sing friend--Joe Ellison.

Have you heard from him recently ?" "He's out, and he's working where I am." "Yes?
What's he doing ?" "He's working there as a gardener." Again she was silent a space, her sunken eyes steady With thought.

Then she said: "From the time he was twenty till he was thirty I knew Joe Ellison well--better than I've ever told you.