"_I_ tell him! No one must tell him.

He need never know it." Briscoe reached back and patted her cheek.

"How long do you suppose he will be here in Plattville without it's leaking out ?" "But they kept guard over him for months and nobody told him." "Ah," said Briscoe, "but this is different." "No, no, no!" she exclaimed.

"It _must_ be kept from him somehow!" "He'll know it by to-morrow, so you'd better tell him this evening." "This evening ?" "Yes.

You'll have a good chance." "I will ?" "He's coming to supper with us.