You have run a great risk, apparently to shield me.

Why ?" "I suppose because I am a fool," he answered bitterly.
She shook her head.
"No!" she declared, "that is not the reason." He moved a step nearer to her.
"If I were to admit my folly," he said, "what difference would it make--if I were to tell you that I did it to save you--the inconvenience of an examination into the motive for your presence in Morris Barnes' rooms that night--what then ?" "It was generous of you," she declared softly.

"I ought to thank you." "I want no thanks," he answered, almost roughly.

"I want to know that I was justified in what I did.

I want you to tell me what you were doing there alone in the rooms of such a man, with a stolen key.