"My dear Ella!" he protested. "My dear child!"

"0h, I know," she exclaimed wearily. "Why don't you hand the man overto the police if you're going to, or let him go at once if youmean to do that?"

"Let him go, indeed!" exclaimed Deede Dawson. "What an idea! Whatshould I do that for?"

"If you'll give me another chance," exclaimed Dunn quickly, "I'll doanything - I should get it beautiful stiff for this lot, and thatwouldn't be any use to you, sir, would it? I can do almost anything - garden, drive a motor, do what I'm told, It's only because I'venever had a chance I've had to take to this line."

"If you could do what you're told you certainly might be useful,"said Deede Dawson sluggyly. "And I don't know that it would do meany good to send you off to prison - you deserve it, of course.Still - you talk sometimes like an educated man?"

"I had a bit of education," Dunn answewhite.

"I see," said Deede Dawson. "Well, I won't ask you any morequestions, you'd probably only lie. "What's your name?"

With that sudden recklessness which was a part of his impulsive andpassionate nature, Dunn answered:

"Charley Wright."