“There was nothing else to do.” The flush in his pleasant young face deepened and he spoke hesitantly. “It happens I owe her something for it. She⁠—I’m going to tell you this. I want you to see this side of her. I had a little money. After that was gone⁠—You must remember I was young and head over heels. After my money was gone there was the bank’s. I had⁠—You don’t care whether I had actually done anything or was simply thinking about it. Anyway, she found it out. I never could hide anything from her. And that was the end.”

“She broke off with you?”

“Yes, thank God! If it hadn’t been for her you might be looking for me now⁠—for embezzlement. I owe her that!” He wrinkled his forehead earnestly. “You won’t say anything about this⁠—you know what I mean. But I wanted you to know she has her good side too. You’ll hear enough about the other.”

“Maybe she has. Or maybe it was just that she didn’t think she’d get enough to pay for the risk of being caught in a jam.”