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"It does," gasped Kent "But why the devil, Miss Marette--"

"Marette," she corrected again

"Yes, Marette--why the devil have you come to see me at just the moment I'm due to explode? And what's your other name, and how old are you, and what do you want of et acquainted with you and see what you are like"

"Bully!" exclaiirl drew her chair a few inches nearer, and for aon the edge of a smile

"Because you have lied so splendidly to save another hed Kent, leaning back against his pillows "Isn't it possible for a decent man to kill another man and not be called a liar when he tells about it? Why do so many believe that I lie?"

"They don't," said the girl "They believe you--now You have gone so completely into the details of the murder in your confession that they are quite convinced It would be too bad if you lived, for you surely would be hanged Your lie sounds and reads like the truth But I know it is a lie You did not kill John Barkley"

"And the reason for your suspicion?"

For fully half a ain they seeh him and into him "Because I know the man who DID kill hihty effort to appear calan had placed on his bed, and nibbled the end of it "Has so?" he asked

She shook her head the slightest bit

"Did you--er--see this other gentleman kill John Barkley?" he insisted

"No"

"Then I must answer you as I have answered at least one other I killed John Barkley If you suspect so"

"What a splendid liar!" she breathed softly "Don't you believe in God?"

Kent winced "In a large, e sense, yes," he said "I believe in Hi, growing glory you see out there through theNature and I have becoood pals, and you see I've sort of built up a e, reat coion?"