“She’ll have a chance to get over her jealousy now,” said Miss Jones.  “If they can prove that on her they’ll send her to prison!”

Faith staggered to her feet and faced them resolutely.

“They shall never prove it, if I can help it,” she said, finally, “for I am sorry for Miss Brady, and I’m going to try and save her!”

CHAPTER XXXII.

Another talk with the inspector.

As Faith rushed from the cloak-room she came suddenly upon Ben Tyler, who was standing at the head of the stairs leading down into the private offices.

“Oh, Mr. Tyler, do please tell me about poor Miss Brady!” she cried, eagerly.  “I have only just heard that she has been arrested!”

The detective smiled grimly at the eagerness in her manner, but he was nothing loath to relate his prowess.

“She’s arrested all right!  I nabbed her last night,” he said, promptly, “but she had covered her tracks pretty well.  I had a deuce of a time to prove it!”

Faith was still staring at him speechlessly, but with questioning eyes.  She could not help feeling some curiosity about the details of the story.

“First, I had to find the boy that brought the candy to the store,” went on the detective; “then I traced it step by step until I reached Mag Brady.  Her brother is in a drug-store; it was through him she got the poison.”

“And where is she now?” asked Faith, beginning to tremble.

“In jail, where she belongs!” was the heartless answer.  “Mr. Denton and I went to court this morning and had her locked up for safe keeping.”

“Oh, I didn’t think he would do it!” said Faith, almost ready to cry.  “It is cruel, Mr. Tyler!  Oh, I am so sorry for Miss Brady!”

“Well, I wouldn’t be sorry for a person who tried to kill me,” said the detective, sneeringly; “but, then, I’m no saint like you, Miss Marvin.”

Faith looked at him quickly and could see a sneer on his face.  It was plain that he had no special respect for saintliness.

When she reached her department she found every one talking excitedly, and, of course, Miss Brady’s arrest was the topic of conversation.

“Here she comes!—­here comes Mag’s rival!” cried Miss Jones, when she saw Faith coming.

The “head of stock” had got down before her and was beginning to arrange her goods upon the counter.

“So she tried to kill you, did she?” asked Miss Fairbanks, coming up.  “Well, all I’ve got to say is, the Lord deliver me from any dealings with a jealous woman!”

Faith set her lips firmly and did not speak.  She was determined to shield Maggie in every way possible.

“I thought your habits would lead you into trouble, Miss Marvin,” said Mr. Gunning, insolently.  He was leaning over the counter, which was as near as he could get to her.  Still Faith did not answer, but went on with her work.  There were no customers in yet, so she had no haven of refuge to fly to.