"Sit down.

What's the matter ?" "The police know Larry is in New York and are after him!" "How do you know ?" Rapidly Maggie told of the happenings in her sitting-room, and of Barney and Old Jimmie starting out to warn Gavegan.

The Duchess heard every word, but most of her faculties were concentrated upon a reexamination of Maggie and upon those questions which had been troubling her all evening and for these many days.

Was there good in Maggie?
Was she justified in longer suppressing the truth of Maggie's parentage?
"Why are you telling me all this ?" the Duchess asked, when Maggie had finished her rapid recital.
"Why! Isn't it plain?
I want you to get warning to Larry that the police are after him!" "Why not do it yourself ?" "I'm going out where he is to-morrow, but that may be too late." Maggie gave her other reasons, such as they were.

The old woman's eyes never left Maggie's flushed face, and yet never showed any interest.
"I thought you were tied up with Barney and Old Jimmie," the Duchess commented.