XV - THE AWFUL TRUTH––––––––
“WELL, Fibs,” said Stone, as the two sat alone in conclave, “what about Rachel’s story?”
“You know, F. Stone, how I hate to doubt a lady’s word, but—not to put too fine a point upon it, the fair Rachel lied.”
“You think so, too, eh? And just why?”
“Under orders. She was coached in her part. Told exactly what to say——”
“By whom?”
“Oh, you know as well as I do. You’re just leading me on! Well, he coached her, all right, and she got scared before the performance came off and that’s why she ran away.”
“Yes, I agree to all that. Keefe, of course, being the coach.”
“Yessir. He doing it, to save the Wheelers. You see, he’s so desperately in love with Miss Maida, that it sort of blinds his judgment and cleverness.”
“Just how?”
“Well, you know his is love at f
