\"That\'sallright，littlelady，\"heurgedinavoiceasnearlymellifluousashecouldcontrivewithitsmightyvolume。\"That\'sallright。Ihavetokeepontellingyou。Nobody\'sgoingtohurtyou——notalittlebit。Believeme!Why，nobodyeverwouldwanttohurtyou!\"
Buthiswell-meantattempttoassuagethestrickencreature\'swowasfutile。Thesobbingcontinued。Withitcameaplaintivecry，manytimesrepeated，softly，butverymiserably。
\"Oh，dear!Oh，dear!\"
\"Isn\'ttheresomethingelseyoucantellmeaboutthiswoman？\"
Burkeinquiredindesperationbeforetheplaintiveoutburst。Hehopedtodistractherfromsuchgriefoverherpredicament。
Thegirlgavenoleastheedtothequestion。
\"Oh，I\'msofrightened!\"shegasped。
\"Tut，tut!\"theInspectorchided。\"Now，Itellyouthere\'snothingatallforyoutobeafraidof。\"
\"I\'mafraid!\"thegirlasserteddismally。\"I\'mafraidyouwill——putme——inacell!\"Hervoicesanktoamurmurhardlyaudibleasshespokethewordssofraughtwithdreadimporttooneofherrefinedsensibilities。
\"Pooh!\"Burkereturned，gallantly。\"Why，mydearyounglady，nobodyintheworldcouldthinkofyouandacellatthesametime——no，indeed!\"
Instantly，thegirlrespondedtothisbaldflattery。Shefairlyradiatedappreciationofthecompliment，assheturnedhereyes，dewywithtears，onthesomewhatflusteredInspector。
\"Oh，thankyou!\"sheexclaimed，withnaiveenjoyment。
Forthwith，Burkesetouttomakethemostofthisfavorableopportunity。
\"Areyousureyou\'vetoldmeallyouknowaboutthiswoman？\"hequestioned。
\"Oh，yes!I\'veonlyseenhertwoorthreetimes，\"camethereadyresponse。Thevoicechangedtosupplication，andagaintheclaspedhandswereextendedbeseechingly。
\"Oh，please，Commissioner!Won\'tyouletmegohome？\"
TheuseofatitlehigherthanhisownflatteredtheInspector，andhewasmovedtograciousness。Besides，itwasobviousthathispolicenetinthisinstancehadenmeshedonlythemostharmlessofdoves。Hesmiledencouragingly。
\"Well，now，littlelady，\"hesaid，almosttenderly，\"ifIletyougonow，willyoupromisetoletmeknowifyouareabletothinkofanythingelseaboutthisTurnerwoman？\"
\"Iwill——indeed，Iwill!\"cametheferventassurance。Therewassomethingalmost——quiteprovocativeintheflashofgratitudethatshoneforthfromtheblueeyesofthegirlinthatmomentofhersuperlativerelief。ItmovedBurketoadesireforrehabilitationinherestimation。
\"Now，yousee，\"hewentoninhisheavyvoice，yetverykindly，andwithasortofmassiveplayfulnessinhismanner，\"noonehashurtyou——notevenalittlebit，afterall。Now，yourunrighthometoyourmother。\"
Thegirldidnotneedtobetoldtwice。Ontheinstant，shesprangupjoyously，andstartedtowardthedoor，withafinalravishingsmileforthepleasedofficialatthedesk。
\"I\'llgojustasfastaseverIcan，\"themusicalvoicemadeassuranceblithely。
\"Givemycomplimentstoyourfather，\"Burkerequestedcourteously。\"AndtellhimI\'msorryIfrightenedyou。\"
Thegirlturnedatthedoor……Afterall，toogreathastemightbeindiscreet。
\"Iwill，Commissioner，\"shepromised，withanarchsmile。\"AndI
knowpapawillbesogratefultoyouforallyourkindnesstome!\"
ItwasatthiscriticalmomentthatCassidyenteredfromtheoppositesideoftheoffice。Ashiseyesfellonthegirlatthedooracrossfromhim，hisstolidfacelightedinagrin。And，inthatsameinstantofrecognitionbetweenthetwo，thecolorwentoutofthegirl\'sface。Thelittleredlipssnappedtogetherinalineofsupremedisgustagainstthisvicissitudeoffateafterallhermanoeuveringsinthefaceoftheenemy。Shestoodmotionlessinwordlessdismay，impotentbeforethisdisasterforcedonherbyuntowardchance。
\"Hello，Aggie!\"thedetectiveremarked，withasmirk，whiletheInspectorstaredfromonetotheotherwithroundedeyesofwonder，andhisjawdroppedfromthestarksurpriseofthisnewdevelopment。
ThegirlreturneddeliberatelytothechairshehadoccupiedthroughtheinterviewwiththeInspector，anddroppedintoitweakly。Herformrestedtherelimplynow，andtheblueeyesstareddisconsolatelyattheblankwallbeforeher。Sherealizedthatfatehaddecreeddefeatforherinthegame。Itwasafteraminuteofsilenceinwhichthetwomensatstaringthatatlastshespokewithasavagewrathagainstthepitintowhichshehadfallenafterherarduousefforts。
\"Ain\'tthatthedamnedestluck!\"
Foralittleintervalstill，BurketurnedhisglancesfromthegirltoCassidy，andthenbackagaintothegirl，whosatimmobilewithherblueeyessteadfastlyfixedonthewall。Thepoliceofficialwas，intruth，totallybewildered。Herewasinexplicablemystery。Finally，headdressedthedetectivecurtly。
\"Cassidy，doyouknowthiswoman？\"
\"Sure，Ido!\"cametheplacidanswer。Hewentontoexplainwiththedirectbrevityofhiskind。\"She\'slittleAggieLynch——con\'
woman，fromBuffalo——twoyearsforblackmail——didhertimeatBurnsing。\"
Withthissuccinctnarrativeconcerningthegirlwhosatmuteandmotionlessinthechairwithhereyesfastonthewall，Cassidyrelapsedintosilence，duringwhichhestaredratherperplexedlyathischief，whoseemedtobeinthethroesofunusualemotion。
Asthedetectiveexpresseditinhisownvernacular:Forthefirsttimeinhisexperience，theInspectorappearedtobeactually\"rattled。\"
Foralittletime，therewassilence，thewhileBurkesatstaringattheavertedfaceofthegirl。Hisexpressionwasthatofonewhohasjustundergoneasoul-stirringshock。Then，presently，hesethisfeaturesgrimly，rosefromhischair，andwalkedtoapositiondirectlyinthefrontofthegirl，whostillrefusedtolookinhisdirection。
\"Youngwoman——\"hebegan，severely。Then，ofasuddenhelaughed。\"Youpickedtherightbusiness，allright，allright!\"
hesaid，withacertainenthusiasm。Helaughedalouduntilhiseyeswereonlyslits，andhisamplepaunchtrembledvehemently。
\"Well，\"hewenton，atlast，\"Icertainlyhavetohandittoyou，kid。You\'reabeaut\'!\"
Aggiesniffedvehementlyinrebukeofthegrosspartialityoffateinhisbehalf。
\"JustasIhadhimgoin\'!\"shesaidbitterly，asifinself-communion，withoutshiftinghergazefromtheblanksurfaceofthewall。
Now，however，Burkewasremindedonceagainofhisofficialduties，andheturnedquicklytotheattentiveCassidy。
\"Haveyougotapictureofthisyoungwoman？\"heaskedbrusquely。AndwhenCassidyhadrepliedinthenegative，heagainfacedtheadventuresswithamockinggrin——inwhichmockery，too，wasafairfragmentforhimself，whohadbeensothoroughlywithinhertoilsofblandishment。
\"I\'ddearlylovetohaveaphotographofyou，MissHelenTraversWest，\"hesaid。
Thespeecharousedthestoliddetectivetoanewinterest。
\"HelenTraversWest？\"herepeated，inquiringly。
\"Oh，that\'sthenameshetoldme，\"theInspectorexplained，somewhatshamefacedlybeforethisquestionfromhisinferior。
Thenhechuckled，forhehadsenseofhumorsufficienttotriumphevenoverhisowndiscomfitureinthisencounter。\"Andshehadmewinging，too!\"heconfessed。\"Yes，Iadmitit。\"Heturnedtothegirladmiringly。\"Yousureareimmense，littleone——immense!\"Hesmiledsomewhatmoreinhisofficialmannerofmastery。\"Andnow，mayIhavethehonorofaskingyoutoaccepttheescortofMr。Cassidytoourgallery。\"
AggiesprangtoherfeetandregardedtheInspectorwitheyesinwhichwasnownoinnocence，suchashadbeguiledhimsorecentlyfromthoseingenuousorbs。
\"Oh，canthatstuff!\"shecried，crossly。\"Let\'sgetdowntobusinessonthedot——andnofrillsonit!Keeptocases!\"
\"Nowyou\'retalking，\"Burkedeclared，withanewappreciationoftheversatilityofthiswoman——whohadnotbeenwastinghertimehitherto，andhadnowishtoloseitnow。
\"Youcan\'tdoanythingtous，\"Aggiedeclared，strongly。ThereremainednotraceoftheshrinkingvioletthathadbeenMissHelenTraversWest。Now，sherevealedmerelythebusinesswomanengagedinafightagainstthelaw，whichwasopposeddefinitelytoherpeculiarformofbusiness。
\"Youcan\'tdoanythingtome，andyouknowyoucan\'t!\"shewenton，withanalmostconvincingtranquillityofassertion。\"Why，I\'llbesprunginsideanhour。\"TherecamearippleoflaughterthatremindedtheInspectorofthefashioninwhichhehadbeenovercomebythiswoman\'swiles。Andshespokewithacertitudeofconvictionthatwasratherterrifyingtoonewhohadjustfallenunderthestressofherspells。
\"Why，habeascorpusismylawyer\'smiddlename!\"
\"Onthelevel，now，\"theInspectordemanded，quiteunmovedbythefinaldeclarations，\"whendidyouseeMaryTurnerlast？\"
Aggieresortedanewtoherpracticesofdeception。Hervoiceheldtheaccentsofunimpeachabletruth，andhereyeslookedunflinchinglyintothoseofherquestionerassheanswered。
\"Earlythismorning，\"shedeclared。\"Weslepttogetherlastnight，becauseIhadthewillies。Sheblewthejointabouthalf-pastten。\"
Burkeshookhishead，moreinsorrowthaninanger。
\"What\'stheuseofyourlyingtome？\"heremonstrated。
\"What，me？\"Aggieclamored，witheveryevidenceofbeingdeeplywoundedbythechargeagainstherveracity。\"Oh，Iwouldn\'tdoanythinglikethat——onthelevel!Whatwouldbetheuse？I
couldn\'tfoolyou，Commissioner。\"
Burkestrokedhischinsheepishly，undertheinfluenceofmemoriesofMissHelenTraversWest。
\"Sohelpme，\"Aggiecontinuedwiththeutmostsolemnity，\"Maryneverleftthehouseallnight。I\'dswearthat\'sthetruthonapileofBiblesamilehigh!\"
\"Havetobehigherthanthat，\"theInspectorcommented，grimly。
\"Yousee，AggieLynch，MaryTurnerwasarrestedjustaftermidnight。\"Hisvoicedeepenedandcameblustering。\"Youngwoman，you\'dbettertellallyouknow。\"
\"Idon\'tknowathing!\"Aggieretorted，sharply。ShefacedtheInspectorfiercely，quiteunabashedbythefactthathervigorousoffertocommitperjuryhadbeenofnoavail。
Burke，withaquickmovement，drewthepistolfromhispocketandextendedittowardthegirl。
\"Howlonghassheownedthisgun？\"hesaid，threateningly。
Aggieshowednotraceofemotionasherglanceranovertheweapon。
\"Shedidn\'townit，\"washerfirmanswer。
\"Oh，thenit\'sGarson\'s!\"Burkeexclaimed。
\"Idon\'tknowwhoseitis，\"Aggiereplied，withanairofboredomwellcalculatedtodeceive。\"Ineverlaideyesonittillnow。\"
TheInspector\'stoneabruptlytookonasombercoloring，withanunderlyingmenace。
\"EnglishEddiewaskilledwiththisgunlastnight，\"hesaid。
\"Now，whodidit？\"Hisbroadfacewassinister。\"Comeon，now!
Whodidit？\"
Aggiebecameflippant，seeminglyunimpressedbytheInspector\'ssavageness。
\"HowshouldIknow？\"shedrawled。\"WhatdoyouthinkIam——afortune-teller？\"
\"You\'dbettercomethrough，\"Burkereiterated。Thenhismannerchangedtowheedling。\"Ifyou\'rethewisekidIthinkyouare，youwill。\"
Aggiewaxedverypetulantoverthisinsistence。
\"Itellyou，Idon\'tknowanything!Say，whatareyoutryingtohandme，anyway？\"
Burkescowledonthegirlportentously，andshookhishead。
\"Now，itwon\'tdo，Itellyou，AggieLynch。I\'mwise。Youlistentome。\"Oncemorehismannerturnedtothecajoling。
\"Youtellmewhatyouknow，andI\'llseeyoumakeacleanget-away，andI\'llslipyouanicelittlepieceofmoney，too。\"
Thegirl\'sfacechangedwithstartlingswiftness。SheregardedtheInspectorshrewdly，acraftyglintinhereyes。
\"Letmegetthisstraight，\"shesaid。\"IfItellyouwhatIknowaboutMaryTurnerandJoeGarson，Igetaway？\"
\"Clean!\"Burkeejaculated，eagerly。
\"Andyou\'llslipmesomecoin，too？\"
\"That\'sit!\"camethehastyassurance。\"Now，whatdoyousay？\"
Thesmallfiguregrewtense。Thedelicate，childishfacewassuddenlydistortedwithrage，arageblackandvenomous。Theblueeyeswereblazing。Thevoicecamethinandpiercing。
\"Isay，you\'reagreatbigstiff!WhatdoyouthinkIam？\"shestormedatthediscomfitedInspector，whileCassidylookedoninsomeenjoymentatbeholdinghissuperiorbeingworsted。Aggiewheeledonthedetective。\"Say，takemeoutofhere，\"shecriedinavoicesurchargedwithdisgust。\"I\'dratherbeinthecoolerthanherewithhim!\"
NowBurke\'stonewasdangerous。
\"You\'lltell，\"hegrowled，\"oryou\'llgouptheriverforastretch。\"
\"Idon\'tknowanything，\"thegirlretorted，spiritedlyAnd，ifI
did，Iwouldn\'ttell——notinamillionyears!\"ShethrustherheadforwardchallenginglyasshefacedtheInspector，andherexpressionwasresolute。\"Now，then，\"sheended，\"sendmeup——ifyoucan!\"
\"Takeheraway，\"Burkesnappedtothedetective。
AggiewenttowardCassidywithoutanysignofreluctance。
\"Yes，do，please!\"sheexclaimedwithasneer。\"Anddoitinahurry。Beingintheroomwithhimmakesmesick!SheturnedtostareattheInspectorwitheyesthatwereveryclearandveryhard。Inthismoment，therewasnothingchildishintheirgaze。
\"ThoughtI\'dsqueal，didyou？\"shesaid，evenly。Yes，I
will\"——theredlipsbenttoasmileofsupremescorn——\"likehell!\"
CHAPTERXXII。THETRAPTHATFAILED。
Burke，despitehisqualityofheaviness，wasblestwithakeensenseofhumor，againstwhichattimeshisprofessionallaborsstrovemutinously。Inthepresentinstance，hehadfailedutterlytoobtainanyinformationofvaluefromthegirlwhomhehadjustbeenexamining。Onthecontrary，hehadbeenbefooledoutrageouslybyafemalecriminal，inamannertowounddeeplyhisprofessionalpride。Nevertheless，heborenogrudgeagainsttheadventuress。Hissenseoftheabsurdservedhimwell，andhetookalivelyenjoymentinrecallingthemethodbywhichherplausiblewileshadbeguiledhim。Hegaveherarealrespectfortheadroitnesswithwhichshehaddeceivedhim——andhewasnotonetobereadilydeceived。So，now，asthescornfulmaidenwentoutofthedoorundertheescortofCassidy，Burkebowedgallantlytoherlitheback，andblewakissfromhisthickfingertips，inmockingreverenceforherasanartistinherway。
Then，heseatedhimself，pressedthedeskcall-button，and，whenhehadlearnedthatEdwardGilderwasarrived，orderedthatthemagnateandtheDistrictAttorneybeadmitted，andthattheson，also，besentupfromhiscell。
\"It\'sabadbusiness，sir，\"Burkesaid，withheartysympathy，totheshakenfather，aftertheformalgreetingsthatfollowedtheentranceofthetwomen。\"It\'saverybadbusiness。\"
\"Whatdoeshesay？\"Gilderquestioned。Therewassomethingpitifulinthedistressofthisman，usuallysostrongandsocertainofhiscourse。Now，hewashesitantinhismovements，andhismellowvoicecamemoreweaklythanitswont。TherewasapatheticpleadinginthedulledeyeswithwhichheregardedtheInspector。
\"Nothing!\"Burkeanswered。\"That\'swhyIsentforyou。I
supposeMr。Demaresthasmadethesituationplaintoyou。\"
Gildernodded，hisfacemiserable。
\"Yes，\"hehasexplainedittome，\"hesaidinalifelessvoice。
\"It\'saterriblepositionformyboy。Butyou\'llreleasehimatonce，won\'tyou？\"Thoughhestrovetoputconfidenceintohiswords，hispainfuldoubtwasmanifest。
\"Ican\'t，\"Burkereplied，reluctantly，butbluntly。\"Yououghtnottoexpectit，Mr。Gilder。\"
\"But，\"cametheprotest，deliveredwithmuchmorespirit，\"youknowverywellthathedidn\'tdoit!\"
Burkeshookhisheademphaticallyindenialoftheallegation。
\"Idon\'tknowanythingaboutit——yet，\"hecontradicted。
Thefaceofthemagnatewentwhitewithfear。
\"Inspector，\"hecriedbrokenly，\"you——don\'tmean——\"
Burkeansweredwithentirecandor。
\"Imean，Mr。Gilder，thatyou\'vegottomakehimtalk。That\'swhatIwantyoutodo，foralloursakes。Willyou？\"
\"I\'lldomybest，\"theunhappymanreplied，forlornly。
Aminutelater，Dick，inchargeofanofficer，wasbroughtintotheroom。Hewaspale，alittledisheveledfromhishoursinacell。Hestillworehiseveningclothesofthenightbefore。
Hisfaceshowedclearlythedeepenedlines，gravenbythesufferingtowhichhehadbeensubjected，buttherewasnoweaknessinhisexpression。Instead，anewforcethatloveandsorrowhadbroughtoutinhischaracterwasplainlyvisible。Thestrengthofhisnaturewasspringingtofulllifeunderthestimulusoftheordealthroughwhichhewaspassing。
Thefatherwentforwardquickly，andcaughtDick\'shandsinamightygrip。
\"Myboy!\"hemurmured，huskily。Then，hemadeagreateffort，andcontrolledhisemotiontosomeextent。\"TheInspectortellsme，\"hewenton，\"thatyou\'verefusedtotalk——toanswerhisquestions。\"
Dick，too，wincedunderthepainofthismeetingwithhisfatherinasituationsosinister。Buthewas，tosomedegree，apatheticfromover-muchmisery。Now，inreplytohisfather\'swords，heonlynoddedaquietassent。
\"Thatwasn\'twiseunderthecircumstances，\"thefatherremonstratedhurriedly。\"However，now，DemarestandIareheretoprotectyourinterests，sothatyoucantalkfreely。\"Hewentonwithalittlecatchofanxietyinhisvoice。\"Now，Dick，tellus!Whokilledthatman？Wemustknow。Tellme。\"
Burkebrokeinimpatiently，withhisblusteringfashionofaddress。
\"Wheredidyouget——？\"
ButDemarestraisedarestraininghand。
\"Wait，please!\"headmonishedtheInspector。\"Youwaitabit。\"
Hewentasteptowardtheyoungman。\"Givetheboyachance，\"hesaid，andhisvoicewasveryfriendlyashewentonspeaking。
\"Dick，Idon\'twanttofrightenyou，butyourpositionisreallyadangerousone。Youronlychanceistospeakwithperfectfrankness。Ipledgeyoumyword，I\'mtellingthetruth，Dick。\"
Therewasprofoundconcerninthelawyer\'sthinface，andhisvoice，trainedtooratoricalarts，wasemotionallypersuasive。
\"Dick，myboy，IwantyoutoforgetthatI\'mtheDistrictAttorney，andrememberonlythatI\'manoldfriendofyours，andofyourfather\'s，whoistryingveryhardtohelpyou。Surely，youcantrustme。Now，Dick，tellme:WhoshotGriggs？\"
Therecamealongpause。Burke\'sfacewasavidwithdesireforknowledge，withthekeenexpectancyofthehunteronthetrail，whichwascharacteristicofhiminhisprofessionalwork。TheDistrictAttorneyhimselfwaslessvitallyeager，buthiscuriosity，aswellashiswishtoescapefromanembarrassingsituation，showedopenlyonhisalertcountenance。Theheavyfeaturesofthefatherweretwistingalittleinnervousspasms，fortohimthishourwasallanguish，sincehisonlysonwasinsuchhorribleplight。Dickaloneseemedalmosttranquil，thoughtheoutwardcalmwasbeliedbytheflickeringofhiseyelidsandtheoccasionalinvoluntarymovementofthelips。Finallyhespoke，inacold，wearyvoice。
\"IshotGriggs，\"hesaid。
Demarestrealizedsubtlythathispleahadfailed，buthemadearefforttoresisttheimpression，totaketheadmissionatitsfacevalue。
\"Why？\"hedemanded。
Dick\'sanswercameinthelikeunmeaningtones，andaswearily。
\"BecauseIthoughthewasaburglar。\"
TheDistrictAttorneywasbeginningtofeelhisprofessionalpridearousedagainstthisyoungmanwhosoflagrantlyrepelledhisattemptstolearnthetruthconcerningthecrimethathadbeencommitted。Heresortedtofamiliarartificesforentanglingonequestioned。
\"Oh，Isee!\"hesaid，inatoneofconviction。\"Now，let\'sgobackalittle。Burkesaysyoutoldhimlastnightthatyouhadpersuadedyourwifetocomeovertothehouse，andjoinyouthere。Isthatright？\"
\"Yes。\"Themonosyllablewasutteredindifferently。\"And，whilethetwoofyouweretalking，\"Demarestcontinuedinamatter-of-factmanner。Hedidnotconcludethesentence，butaskedinstead:\"Now，tellme，Dick，justwhatdidhappen，won\'tyou？\"
Therewasnoreply；and，afteralittleinterval，thelawyerresumedhisquestioning。
\"Didthisburglarcomeintotheroom？\"
Dicknoddedanassent。
\"Andheattackedyou？\"
Therecameanothernodofaffirmation。
\"Andtherewasastruggle？\"
\"Yes，\"Dicksaid，andnowtherewasresolutioninhisanswer。
\"Andyoushothim？\"Demarestasked，smoothly。
\"Yes，\"theyoungmansaidagain。
\"Then，\"thelawyercounteredontheinstant，\"wheredidyougettherevolver？\"
Dickstartedtoanswerwithoutthought:
\"Why，Igrabbedit——\"Then，thesignificanceofthiscrashedonhisconsciousness，andhecheckedthewordstremblingonhislips。Hiseyes，whichhadbeendowncast，liftedandglaredonthequestioner。\"So，\"hesaidwithswifthostilityinhisvoice，\"so，you\'retryingtotrapme，too!\"Heshruggedhisshouldersinawayhehadlearnedabroad。\"You!Andyoutalkoffriendship。
Iwantnoneofsuchfriendship。\"
Demarest，greatlydisconcerted，wasskilled，nevertheless，indissembling，andhehidhischagrinperfectly。Therewasonlyreproachinhisvoiceasheansweredstoutly:
\"Iamyourfriend，Dick。\"
ButBurkewouldbenolongerrestrained。HehadlistenedwithincreasingimpatiencetothediplomaticeffortsoftheDistrictAttorney，whichhadendedintotalrout。Now，heinsistedonemployinghisownmoredrastic，and，ashebelieved，moreefficacious，methods。Hestoodup，andspokeinhismostthreateningmanner。
\"Youdon\'twanttotakeusforfools，youngman，\"hesaid，andhisbigtonesrumbledharshlythroughtheroom。\"IfyoushotGriggsinmistakeforaburglar，whydidyoutrytohidethefact？Whydidyoupretendtomethatyouandyourwifewerealoneintheroom——whenyouhad*THATtherewithyou，eh？Whydidn\'tyoucallforhelp？Whydidn\'tyoucallforthepolice，asanyhonestmanwouldnaturallyundersuchcircumstances？\"
Thearraignmentwasseverelylogical。Dickshowedhisappreciationofthejusticeofitinthewhiteningofhisface，nordidhetrytoanswerthechargesthushurledathim。
Thefather，too，appreciatedthegravityofthesituation。Hisfacewasworking，asiftowardtears。
\"We\'retryingtosaveyou，\"hepleaded，tremulously。
Burkepersistedinhisvehementsystemofattack。Now，heagainbroughtouttheweaponthathaddoneEddieGriggstodeath。
\"Where\'dyougetthisgun？\"heshouted。
Dickheldhistranquilpose。
\"Iwon\'ttalkanymore，\"heanswered，simply。\"Imustseemywifefirst。\"Hisvoicebecamemoreaggressive。\"Iwanttoknowwhatyou\'vedonetoher。\"
Burkeseizedonthisopening。
\"DidshekillGriggs？\"hequestioned，roughly。
Foronce，Dickwasstartledoutofhiscalm。
\"No，no!\"hecried，desperately。
Burkefolloweduphisadvantage。
\"Then，whodid？\"hedemanded，sharply。\"Whodid？\"
Now，however，theyoungmanhadregainedhisself-control。Heansweredveryquietly，butwithanairoffinality。
\"Iwon\'tsayanymoreuntilI\'vetalkedwithalawyerwhomIcantrust。\"HeshotavindictiveglancetowardDemarest。
Thefatherintervenedwithapiteouseagerness。
\"Dick，ifyouknowwhokilledthisman，youmustspeaktoprotectyourself。\"
Burke\'svoicecameviciously。
\"Thegunwasfoundonyou。Don\'tforgetthat。\"
\"Youdon\'tseemtorealizethepositionyou\'rein，\"thefatherinsisted，despairingly。\"Thinkofme，Dick，myboy。Ifyouwon\'tspeakforyourownsake，doitformine。\"
Thefaceoftheyoungmansoftenedashemethisfather\'sbeseechingeyes。
\"I\'msorry，Dad，\"hesaid，verygently。\"ButI——well，Ican\'t!\"
Again，Burkeinterposed。Hisbusybrainwasworkingoutanewschemeforsolvingthisirritatingproblem。
\"I\'mgoingtogivehimalittlemoretimetothinkthingsover，\"
hesaid，curtly。Hewentbacktohischair。\"Perhapshe\'llgettounderstandtheimportanceofwhatwe\'vebeensayingprettysoon。\"HescowledatDick。\"Now，youngman，\"hewentonbriskly，\"youwanttodoalotofquickthinking，andalotofhonestthinking，and，whenyou\'rereadytotellthetruth，letmeknow。\"
Hepressedthebuttononhisdesk，and，asthedoormanappeared，addressedthatfunctionary。
\"Dan，haveoneofthementakehimback。Youwaitoutside。\"
Dick，however，didnotmove。Hisvoicecamewithanoteofdetermination。
\"Iwanttoknowaboutmywife。Whereisshe？\"
Burkedisregardedthequestionascompletelyasifithadnotbeenuttered，andwentonspeakingtothedoormanwithasuggestioninhiswordsthatwaseffective。
\"He\'snottospeaktoanyone，youunderstand。\"Thenhecondescendedtogivehisattentiontotheprisoner。\"You\'llknowallaboutyourwife，youngman，whenyoumakeupyourmindtotellmethetruth。\"
DickgavenoheedtotheInspector\'sstatement。Hiseyeswerefixedonhisfather，andtherewasagreattendernessintheirdepths。Andhespokeverysoftly:
\"Dad，I\'msorry!\"
Thefather\'sgazemettheson\'s，andtheeyesofthetwolocked。
Therewasnootherwordspoken。Dickturned，andfollowedhiscustodianoutoftheofficeinsilence。Evenaftertheshuttingofthedoorbehindtheprisoner，thepauseenduredforsomemoments。
Then，atlast，Burkespoketothemagnate。
\"Yousee，Mr。Gilder，whatwe\'reupagainst。Ican\'tlethimgo——yet!\"
Thefatherstrodeacrosstheroominasuddenaccessofrage。
\"He\'sthinkingofthatwoman，\"hecriedout，inaloudvoice。
\"He\'stryingtoshieldher。\"
\"He\'saloyalkid，atthat，\"Burkecommented，withagrudgingadmiration。\"I\'llsaythatmuchforhim。\"Hisexpressiongrewmorose，asagainhepressedthebuttononhisdesk。\"Andnow，\"
hevouchsafed，\"I\'llshowyouthedifference。\"Then，asthedoormanreappeared，hegavehisorder:\"Dan，havetheTurnerwomanbroughtup。\"Heregardedthetwomenwithhisbristlingbrowspulleddowninascowl。\"I\'llhavetotryadifferentgamewithher，\"hesaid，thoughtfully。\"Shesureisonecleverlittledame。But，ifshedidn\'tdoitherself，sheknowswhodid，allright。\"Again，Burke\'svoicetookonitssavagenote。\"Andsomeone\'sgottopayforkillingGriggs。Idon\'thavetoexplainwhytoMr。Demarest，buttoyou，Mr。Gilder。Yousee，it\'sthisway:
Theveryfoundationsoftheworkdonebythisdepartmentrestontheuseofcrooks，whoarewillingtobetraytheirpalsforcoin。
Itoldyouabitaboutitlastnight。Now，youunderstand，ifGriggs\'smurdergoesunpunished，it\'llputthefearofGodintotheheartofeverystool-pigeonweemploy。Andthenwhere\'dwebe？Tellmethat!\"
TheInspectornextcalledhisstenographer，andgaveexplicitdirections。Atthebackoftheroom，behindthedesk，werethreelargewindows，whichopenedonacorridor，andacrossthiswasatierofcells。Thestenographerwastotakehisseatinthiscorridor，justoutsideoneofthewindows。Overthewindows，theshadesweredrawn，sothathewouldremaininvisibletoanyonewithintheoffice，whileyeteasilyabletooverheareverywordspokenintheroom。
Whenhehadcompletedhisinstructionstothestenographer，BurketurnedtoGilderandDemarest。
\"Now，thistime，\"hesaidenergetically，\"I\'llbetheonetodothetalking。Andgetthis:Whateveryouhearmesay，don\'tyoubesurprised。Remember，we\'redealingwithcrooks，and，whenyou\'redealingwithcrooks，youhavetousecrookedways。\"
Therewasabriefperiodofsilence。Then，thedooropened，andMaryTurnerenteredtheoffice。Shewalkedslowlyforward，movingwiththesmoothstrengthandgracethatweretheproofofperfecthealthandofperfectpoise，thecorrelationofmindandbodyinexactness。Herform，clearlyrevealedbytheclingingeveningdress，wasacurvinggroupofgraces。Thebeautyofherfacewasenhanced，ratherthanlessened，bythepallorofit，forthefadingoftherichercolorsgavetothefinefeaturesanexpressionmorespiritual，madeplainertheunderlyingqualitiesthatheraccustomedbrilliancemighthalf-conceal。Shepaidabsolutelynoattentiontotheothertwointheroom，butwentstraighttothedesk，andtherehalted，gazingwithhersoftlypenetranteyesofdeepestvioletintothefaceoftheInspector。
Underthatintentscrutiny，Burkefeltachallenge，sethimselftomatchcraftwithcraft。Hewasnotlikelytoundervaluethewitsofonewhohadsooftenfloutedhim，who，evennow，hadplacedhiminapreposterouspredicamentbythisentanglementoverthedeathofaspy。Buthewasresolvedtousehisbestskilltodisarmhersophistication。Hislargevoicewasmodulatedtokindlinessashespokeinacasualmanner。
\"Ijustsentforyoutotellyouthatyou\'refree。\"
Maryregardedthespeakerwithanimpenetrableexpression。Hertonesasshespokewerequiteasmatter-of-factashisownhadbeen。Inthemwasnowonder，noexultation。
\"Then，Icango，\"shesaid，simply。
\"Sure，youcango，\"Burkereplied，amiably。
Withoutanydelay，yetwithoutanyhaste，MaryglancedtowardGilderandDemarest，whowerewatchingthesceneclosely。Hereyesweresomehowappraising，butaltogetherindifferent。Then，shewenttowardtheouterdooroftheoffice，stillwiththatalmostlackadaisicalair。
Burkewaitedratherimpatientlyuntilshehadnearlyreachedthedoorbeforeheshothisbolt，withafineassumptionofcarelessnessintheannouncement。
\"Garsonhasconfessed!\"
Mary，whoreadilyenoughhadalreadyguessedtheessentialhypocrisyofallthisplay，turnedandconfrontedtheInspector，andansweredwithouttheleasttraceoffear，butwiththefirmnessofknowledge:
\"Oh，no，hehasn\'t!\"
HerattitudeexasperatedBurke。Hisvoiceroaredoutwrathfully。
\"What\'sthereasonhehasn\'t？\"
Themusicinthetonesoftheanswerwasavocalrebuke。
\"Becausehedidn\'tdoit。\"Shestatedthefactasonewithoutahintofanycontradictorypossibility。
\"Well，hesayshedidit!\"Burkevociferated，stillmoreloudly。
Mary，inherturn，resortedtoabitoffinesse，inordertolearnwhetherornotGarsonhadbeenarrested。Shespokewithatraceofindignation。
\"Buthowcouldhehavedoneit，whenhewent——\"shebegan。
TheInspectorfellavictimtohersuperiorcraft。Hisquestioncameeagerly。
\"Wheredidhego？\"
Marysmiledforthefirsttimesinceshehadbeenintheroom，andinthatsmiletheInspectorrealizedhisdefeatinthefirstpassageofthisgameofintriguebetweenthem。
\"Yououghttoknow，\"shesaid，sedately，\"sinceyouhavearrestedhim，andhehasconfessed。\"
Demarestputupahandtoconcealhissmileoverthepoliceofficial\'schagrin。Gilder，staringalwaysatthiswomanwhohadcometobehisNemesis，wasmarvelingoverthebeautyandverveoftheonesohatinghimastoplantheruinofhislifeandhisson\'s。
Burkewasfranticoverbeingworstedthus。Togainadiversion，herevertedtohisfamiliarbullyingtactics。Hisquestionburstraspingly。Itwasaquestionthathadcometobeconstantwithinhisbrainduringthelastfewhours，onethatobsessedhim，thatfrettedhimsorely，almostbeyondendurance。
\"WhoshotGriggs？\"heshouted。
Maryrestedsereneinthepresenceofthisviolence。Heranswercappedtheclimaxoftheofficer\'sexasperation。
\"Myhusbandshotaburglar，\"shesaid，languidly。Andthenherinsolencereacheditsculminationinaqueryofherown:\"WashisnameGriggs？\"Itwasdonewithsplendidart，withasplendidmasteryofherownemotions，for，evenasshespokethewords，shewasrememberingthoseshudderingsecondswhenshehadstood，onlyafewhoursago，gazingdownattheinertbulkthathadbeenaman。
Burkebetookhimselftoanotherformofattack。
\"Oh，youknowbetterthanthat，\"hedeclared，truculently。\"Yousee，we\'vetracedtheMaximsilencer。GarsonhimselfboughtitupinHartford。\"
Forthefirsttime，Marywascaughtoffherguard。
\"Buthetoldme——\"shebegan，thenbecameawareofherindiscretion，andcheckedherself。
Burkeseizedonherlapsewithavidity。
\"Whatdidhetellyou？\"hequestioned，eagerly。
Now，Maryhadregainedherself-command，andshespokecalmly。
\"Hetoldme，\"shesaid，withoutaparticleofhesitation，\"thathehadneverseenone。Surely，ifhehadhadanythingofthesort，hewouldhaveshownittomethen。\"
\"Probablyhedid，too!\"Burkerejoined，withouttheleastsuspicionthathissurlyutterancetouchedthetruthexactly。
\"Now，seehere，\"hewenton，tryingtomakehisvoiceaffable，thoughwithsmallsuccess，forhewasexcessivelyirritatedbytheserepeatedfailures；\"Icanmakeitaloteasierforyouifyou\'lltalk。Comeon，now!WhokilledGriggs？\"
Marycastoffpretensefinally，andspokemalignantly。
\"That\'sforyoutofindout，\"shesaid，sneering。
Burkepressedthebuttononthedesk，and，whenthedoormanappeared，orderedthattheprisonerbereturnedtohercell。
ButMarystoodrebellious，andspokewitharesumptionofhercynicalscorn。
\"Isuppose，\"shesaid，withaglanceofcontempttowardDemarest，\"thatit\'suselessformetoclaimmyconstitutionalrights，anddemandtoseealawyer？\"
Burke，too，hadcastoffpretenseatlast。
\"Yes，\"heagreed，withanevilsmirk，\"you\'veguesseditright，thefirsttime。\"
MaryspoketotheDistrictAttorney。
\"Ibelieve，\"shesaid，withanewdignityofbearing，\"thatsuchismyconstitutionalright，isitnot，Mr。Demarest？\"
Thelawyersoughtnoevasionoftheissue。Forthatmatter，hewascomingtohaveanincreasingrespect，evenadmiration，forthisyoungwoman，whoenduredinsultandignominywithaspiritsosturdy，andmetstrategemwithotherstrategembetterdevised。
So，now，hemadehisanswerwithfrankhonesty。
\"Itisyourconstitutionalright，MissTurner。\"
MaryturnedhercleareyesontheInspector，andawaitedfromthatofficialareplythatwasnotforthcoming。Truthtotell，Burkewasfarfromcomfortableunderthatsurvey。
\"Well，Inspector？\"sheinquired，atlast。
Burketookrefuge，ashiswontwaswhentoohardpressed，inamightybellow。
\"TheConstitutiondon\'tgohere!\"Itwasthebesthecoulddo，anditshamedhim，forheknewitsweakness。Again，wrathsurgedinhim，anditsurgedhigh。HewelcomedtheadventofCassidy，whocamehurryinginwithagrinofsatisfactiononhisstolidface。
\"Say，Chief，\"thedetectivesaidwithanimation，inresponsetoBurke\'sglanceofinquiry，\"we\'vegotGarson。\"
Mary\'sfacefell，thoughthechangeofexpressionwasalmostimperceptible。OnlyDemarest，astudentofmuchexperience，observedthefleetingdisplayofrepressedemotion。WhentheInspectortookthoughttolookather，shewasasimpassiveasbefore。Yet，hewasmindedtotryanotherruseinhisdesiretodefeattheintelligenceofthiswoman。Tothisend，heaskedGilderandtheDistrictAttorneytowithdraw，whileheshouldhaveaprivateconversationwiththeprisoner。Asshelistenedtohisrequest，Marysmiledagaininsphinx-likefashion，andtherewasstillonherlipsanexpressionthatcausedtheofficialapangofdoubt，when，atlast，thetwowereleftalonetogether，andhedartedasurreptitiousglancetowardher。Nevertheless，hepressedonhisdevicevaliantly。
\"Now，\"hesaid，withamarkedsofteningofmanner，\"I\'mgoingtobeyourfriend。\"
\"Areyou？\"Mary\'stonewasnon-committal。
\"Yes，\"Burkedeclared，heartily。\"AndImeanit!GiveupthetruthaboutyoungGilder。IknowheshotGriggs，ofcourse。ButI\'mnottakinganystockinthatburglarstory——notalittlebit!
Nocourtwould，either。Whatwasreallybackofthekilling？\"
Burke\'seyesnarrowedcunningly。\"WashejealousofGriggs？
Well，that\'swhathemightdothen。He\'salwaysbeenaworthlessyoungcub。Arottendeallikethiswouldbeabouthisgait，I
guess……Tellme，now:WhydidheshootEddieGriggs？\"
Therewascoarsenessa-plentyintheInspector\'spretense，butitpossessedasolitaryfundamentalvirtue:itplayedontheheartofthewomanwhomhequestioned，arousedittowrathindefenseofhermate。Inasecond，allpoisefledfromthisgirlwhosesoulwasblossomingintheblestrealizationthatamanlovedherpurely，unselfishly。Herwordscamestumblinglyintheirhaste。
Hereyeswereneartoblackintheiranger。
\"Hedidn\'tkillhim!Hedidn\'tkillhim!\"shefairlyhissed。
\"Why，he\'sthemostwonderfulmanintheworld。Youshan\'thurthim!Nobodyshallhurthim!I\'llfighttotheendofmylifeforDickGilder!\"
Burkewasbeamingjoyously。Atlast——alonglast!——hisfinessehadwonthevictoryoverthiswoman\'ssubtleties。
\"Well，that\'sjustwhatIthought，\"hesaid，withsmugcontent。
\"Andnow，then，whodidshootGriggs？We\'vegoteveryoneofthegang。They\'reallcrooks。Seehere，\"hewenton，withasuddenchangetotherespectfulinhismanner，\"whydon\'tyoustartfresh？I\'llgiveyoueverychanceintheworld。I\'mdeadonthelevelwithyouthistime。\"
Buthewastoolate。Bynow，Maryhadherselfwellinhandagain，vastlyashamedoftheshortperiodofself-betrayalcausedbytheofficial\'sartificeagainstherheart。AsshelistenedtotheInspector\'sassurances，themockingexpressionofherfacewasnotencouragingtothatastuteindividual，butheperseveredmanfully。
\"Justyouwait，\"hewentoncheerfully，\"andI\'llprovetoyouthatI\'monthelevelaboutthis，thatI\'mreallyyourfriend……
Therewasalettercameforyoutoyourapartment。Mymenbroughtitdowntome。I\'vereadit。Hereitis。I\'llreadittoyou!\"
Hepickedupanenvelope，whichhadbeenlyingonthedesk，anddrewoutthesinglesheetofpaperitcontained。Marywatchedhim，wonderingmuchmorethanherexpressionrevealedoverthisnewdevelopment。Then，asshelistened，quickinteresttouchedherfeaturestoanewlife。Inhereyesleapedemotionstomakeormaralife。
Thiswastheletter:
\"Ican\'tgowithouttellingyouhowsorryIam。Therewon\'tneverbeatimethatIwon\'trememberitwasmegotyousentup，thatyoudidtimeinmyplace。Iain\'tgoingtoforgivemyselfever，andIswearI\'mgoingstraightalways。
\"Yourtruefriend，\"HELEN
MORRIS。\"
Foronce，Burkeshowedacertaindelicacy。Whenhehadfinishedthereading，hesaidnothingforalongminute——only，satwithhiscunningeyesonthefaceofthewomanwhowasimmobiletherebeforehim。And，ashelookedonherinherslendereleganceofformandgentlewomanlylovelinessofface，alovelinessintelligentandrefinedbeyondthatofmostwomen，hefeltborneinonhisconsciousnessthefactthatherewasonetoberespected。Hefoughtagainsttheimpression。Itwastohimpreposterous，forshewasoneofthatunderworldagainstwhichhewasruthlesslyatwar。Yet，hecouldnotaltogetherovercomehisinstincttowardahalf-reverentadmiration……And，astheletterproved，shehadbeeninnocentattheoutset。Shehadbeenthevictimofamistakenjustice，madeoutcastbythelawshehadneverwronged……Hismoodofrespectwasinevitable，sincehehadsomesensibilities，thoughtheywerecoarsened，andtheysensedvaguelythemaelstromofemotionsthatnowswirledinthegirl\'sbreast。
ToMaryTurner，thiswasthewonderfulhour。Init，thevindicationofherinnocencewasmadecomplete。ThestorywasthererecordedinblackandwhiteonthepagewrittenbyHelenMorris。Itmatteredlittle——orinfinitelymuch!——thatitcametoolate。Shehadgainedherevilplaceintheworld，wasanotoriouswomaninfact，wasevennowaprisonerundersuspicionofmurder。Nevertheless，shefeltathrillofecstasyoverthiswrittendocument——whichithadneveroccurredtohertowrestfromthegirlatthetimeoftheoralconfession。Nowthatithadbeenproffered，thevalueofitloomedabovealmostallthingselseintheworld。Itproclaimedundeniablythewrongunderwhichshehadsuffered。Shewasnotthethiefthecourthadadjudgedher。Now，there\'snobodyherebutjustyouandme。Comeon，now——putmewise!\"
Marywasagaintheresourcefulwomanwhowasgladtopitherbrainagainstthecontrivingofthosewhofoughther。So，atthismoment，sheseemedplianttothewillofthemanwhourgedherthuscunningly。HerquickglancearoundtheofficewasofasorttodeludetheInspectorintoabeliefthatshewasyieldingtohislure。
\"Areyousurenoonewilleverknow？\"sheasked，timorously。
\"Nobodybutyouandme，\"Burkedeclared，allagogwithanticipationofvictoryatlast。\"Igiveyoumyword!\"
MarymetthegazeoftheInspectorfully。Inthesameinstant，sheflashedonhimasmilethatwasdazzling，thesmileofawomantriumphantinhermasteryofthesituation。Herfacewasradiant，luminouswithhonestmirth。Therewassomethingsimpleandgenuineinherbeautythatthrilledthemanbeforeher，themantryingsovindictivelytotraphertoherownundoing。Forallhisgrossness，Burkewasofshrewdperceptions，andsomewhere，half-submergedunderthesordidnatureofhiscalling，wasaloveofthingsesthetic，aresponsivenesstotheappealsofbeauty。Now，ashisglancesearchedthefaceofthegirlwhowasbubblingwithmirth，heexperiencedanoddwarmingofhisheartunderthespellofherloveliness——alovelinesswhollyfeminine，pervasive，wholesome。But，too，hissoulshookinapremonitionofcatastrophe，fortherewasmischiefinthebeamingeyesofsoftestviolet。Therewasademonofmockeryplayinginthecurvesofthescarletlips，asshesmiledsowinsomely。
Allhisapprehensionswereverifiedbyherutterance。Itcameinamostcasualvoice，despitethedancingdelightinherface。
Thetonesweredrawledinthematter-of-factfashionofstatementthatleadsalistenertoanswerwithoutheedtotheexactimportofthequestion，unlessveryalert，indeed……Thisiswhatshesaidinthatso-casualvoice:
\"I\'mnotspeakingloudenough，amI，stenographer？\"
Andthatindustriouswriterofshorthandnotes，absorbedinhistask，answeredinstantlyfromhishiddenplaceinthecorridor。
\"No，ma\'am，notquite。\"
Marylaughedaloud，whileBurkesatdumfounded。Sheroseswiftly，andwenttothenearestwindow，andwithapullatthecordsenttheshadeflyingupward。Forseconds，therewasrevealedthebusystenographer，bentoverhispad。Then，thenoiseoftheascendingshade，whichhadbeenhammeringonhisconsciousness，penetrated，andhelookedup。Realizationcame，ashebeheldthewomanlaughingathimthroughthewindow。Consternationbesethim。Heknewthat，somehow，hehadbungledfatally。Agroanofdistressburstfromhim，andhefledtheplaceinignominiousrout。
Therewasanotherwhosespiritwasequallydesirousofflight——Burke!Yetonceagain，hewasbeatenathisowngame，hiscunningmadeofnoavailagainstthecleverinterpretationofthiswomanwhomheassailed。Hehadnodefensetooffer。Hedidnotcaretomeethergazejustthen，sincehewaslearningtorespectherasonewronged，wherehehadregardedherhithertomerelyasoftheflotsamandjetsamofthecriminalclass。So，heavoidedhereyesasshestoodbythewindowregardinghimquizzically。Inapanicofconfusionquitenewtohiminhisyearsofexperience，hepressedthebuttononhisdesk。
Thedoormanappearedwiththatautomaticprecisionwhichmadehimvaluableinhisposition，andtheInspectorhailedthereadypresencewithafeelingofprofoundrelief。
\"Dan，takeherback!\"hesaid，feebly。
Marywassmilingstillasshewenttothedoor。Butshecouldnotresisttheimpulsetowardretort。
\"Oh，yes，\"shesaid，suavely；\"youwererightonthelevelwithme，weren\'tyou，Burke？Nobodyherebutyouandme!\"Thewordscameinasing-songofmockery。
TheInspectorhadnothinginthewayofanswer——only，satmotionlessuntilthedoorclosedafterher。Then，leftalone，hissoleaudiblecommentwasasingleword——onehehadlearned，perhaps，fromAggieLynch:
\"Hell!\"
CHAPTERXXIII。THECONFESSION。
Burkewasapersistentman，andhehadsethimselftogettingthemurdererofGriggs。FoiledinhiseffortsthusfarbytheoppositionofMary，henowgavehimselfovertocarefulthoughtastoameansofprocedurethatmightofferthebestpossibilitiesofsuccess。Hisbeetlingbrowsweredrawninafrownofperplexityforafullquarterofanhour，whileherestedmotionlessinhischair，anunlightedcigarbetweenhislips。Then，atlast，hisfacecleared；agrinofsatisfactiontwistedhisheavymouth，andhesmotethedeskjoyously。
\"It\'sacinchit\'llget\'im!\"herumbled，inglee。
Hepressedthebutton-call，andorderedthedoormantosendinCassidy。Whenthedetectiveappearedaminutelater，hewentdirectlytohissubjectwithastraightforwardenergyusualtohiminhiswork。
\"DoesGarsonknowwe\'vearrestedtheTurnergirlandyoungGilder？\"And，whenhehadbeenansweredinthenegative:\"Orthatwe\'vegotChicagoRedandDaceyhere？\"
\"No，\"Cassidyreplied。\"Hehasn\'tbeenspokentosincewemadethecollar……Heseemsworried，\"thedetectivevolunteered。
Burke\'sbroadjowlsshookfromtheforcewithwhichhesnappedhisjawstogether。