Anditsochancedthatatthisincriminatingcrisisfortheson，thefatherhastilystrodewithinthelibrary。HehadbeenarousedbytheInspector'sshouting，andwasevidentlygreatlyperturbed。Hisusualdignifiedairwasmarredbyapatentalarm。
　　"What'sallthis？"heexclaimed，ashehaltedandstareddoubtfullyonthescenebeforehim。
　　Burke，inamomentlikethis，wasnorespecterofpersons，forallhisjudiciousattentionsonotheroccasionstothosewhoseinfluencemightservehimwellforbenefitsreceived。
　　"Youcanseeforyourself，"hesaidgrimlytothedumfoundedmagnate。Then，hefixedsinistereyesontheson。"So，"hewenton，withsombermenaceinhisvoice，"youdidit，youngman。"Henoddedtowardthedetective。"Well，Cassidy，youcantake'embothdown-town……That'sall。"
　　ThecommandarousedDicktoremonstranceagainstsuchindignitytowardthewomanwhomheloved。
　　"Nother!"hecried，imploringly。"Youdon'twanther，Inspector!Thisisallwrong!"
　　Now，atlast，Maryinterposedwithanewspirit。Shehadregained，insomemeasureatleast，herpoise。Shewasspeakingagainwiththatmentalclaritywhichwasdistinctiveinher。
　　"Dick，"sheadvisedquietly，butwithunderlyingurgencyinhergentlyspokenwords，"don'ttalk，please。"
　　Burkelaughedharshly。
　　"Whatdoyouexpect？"heinquiredtruculently。"Asamatteroffact，thething'ssimpleenough，youngman。EitheryoukilledGriggs，orshedid。"
　　TheInspector，withhischarge，madeacarelessgesturetowardthecorpseofthemurderedstool-pigeon。Forthefirsttime，EdwardGilder，ashisglanceunconsciouslyfollowedtheofficer'smovement，lookedandsawtheghastlyinanimateheapoffleshandbonethathadoncebeenaman。Hefairlyreeledatthegruesomespectacle，thenfumbledwithanoutstretchedhandashemovedstumblinglyuntilhelaidholdonachair，intowhichhesankhelplessly。Itsuddenlysmoteuponhisconsciousnessthathefeltveryoldandbroken。Hemarveleddullyoverthesensation——itwaswhollynewtohim。Then，soon，fromalongwayoff，heheardthestridentvoiceoftheInspectorremorselesslycontinuinginthevile，theimpossibleaccusation……Andthatgrotesqueaccusationwashurledagainsthisonlyson——theboywhomhesoloved。Thethingwasmonstrous，athingincredible。
　　Thiswholeseemingwasnomorethanachimeraofthenight，aphantomofbaddreams，withnotruthunderit……Yet，thesternvoiceoftheofficialcamewithastrangesemblanceofreality。
　　"Eitheryoukilledhim，"thevoicerepeatedgratingly，"orshedid。Well，then，youngman，didshekillhim？"
　　"GoodGod，no!"Dickshouted，aghast。
　　"Then，itwasyou!"SuchwastheInspector'ssummaryofthecase。
　　Mary'swordscamefrantically。Onceagain，shewasbecomedesperateoverthecourseofeventsinthisnightoffearfulhappenings。
　　"No，no!Hedidn't!"
　　Burke'sraspingvoicereiteratedtheaccusationwithacertaincomplacencyintheinevitabilityofthedilemma。
　　"OneofyoukilledGriggs。Whichoneofyoudidit？"HescowledatDick。"Didshekillhim？"
　　Again，thehusband'scrycamewiththefiercenessofdespairoverthefateofthewoman。
　　"Itoldyou，no!"
　　TheInspector，alwayssavagelyimpressivenowinvoiceandlookandgesture，facedthegirlwithsaturninepersistence。
　　"Well，then，"heblustered，"didhekillhim？"
　　ThenodofhisheadwastowardDick。Then，assheremainedsilent:"I'mtalkingtoyou!"hesnapped。"Didhekillhim？"
　　Thereplycamewithasoftdistinctnessthatwaslikeacrashofdestiny。
　　"Yes。"
　　Dickturnedtohiswifeinreproachfulamazement。
　　"Mary!"hecried，incredulously。Thisbetrayalwassomethinginconceivablefromher，sincehebelievedthatnowatlastheknewherheart。
　　Burke，however，asusual，paidnoheedtothenicetiesofsentiment。Theyhadsmallplaceinhisconcernsasanofficialofpolice。Hissoleambitionjustnowwastofixthecrimedefinitelyontheperpetrator。
　　"You'llswearhekilledhim？"heasked，briskly，wellcontentwiththisconcreteresultoftheentanglement。
　　Marysubtlyevadedthequestion，whileseemingtogiveunqualifiedassent。
　　"Whynot？"sherespondedlistlessly。
　　Atthisintolerableassertionashedeemedit，EdwardGilderwasreanimated。Hesatrigidlyerectinhis，chair。Inthatfrightfulmoment，itcametohimanewthatherewasinveritythelastdetailinaconsummateschemebythiswomanforrevengeagainsthimself。
　　"God!"hecried，despairingly。"Andthat'syourvengeance!"
　　Maryheard，andunderstood。Therecameaninscrutablesmileonhercurvinglips，buttherewasnosatisfactioninthatsmile，asofonewhorealizedthefruitionoflong-cherishedschemesofretribution。Instead，therewasonlyaninfinitesadness，whileshespokeverygently。
　　"Idon'twantvengeance——now!"shesaid。
　　"Butthey'lltrymyboyformurder，"themagnateremonstrated，distraught。
　　"Oh，no，theycan't!"cametherejoinder。Andnow，onceagain，therewasahintofthequizzicalcreepinginthesmile。"No，theycan't!"sherepeatedfirmly，andtherewasprofoundreliefinhertonessinceatlastheringenuityhadfoundawayoutofthisoutrageoussituationthrustonherandonherhusband。
　　Burkeglaredatthespeakerinaragethatwasabruptlygrownsuspiciousinsomevagueway。
　　"What'sthereasonwecan't？"hestormed。
　　Marysprangtoherfeet。Shewasradiantwithanewserenity，nowthatherquick-wittednesshaddiscoveredamethodforbafflingthemeshofevidencethathadbeenwovenaboutherandDickthroughnofaultoftheirown。Hereyeswereglowingwithevenmorethantheirusuallusters。Hervoicecamesoftlymodulated，almostmocking。
　　"Becauseyoucouldn'tconvicthim，"shesaidsuccinctly。A
　　contentedsmilebenttheredgracesofherlips。
　　Burkesneeredanindignationthatwas，nevertheless，somewhatfearfulofwhatmightliebehindthewoman'sassurance。
　　"What'sthereason？"hedemanded，scornfully。"There'sthebody。"Hepointedtotherigidformofthedeadman，lyingtheresoverynearthem。"Andthegunwasfoundonhim。Andthen，you'rewillingtoswearthathekilledhim……Well，Iguesswe'llconvicthim，allright。Whynot？"
　　Mary'sanswerwasgivenquietly，but，nonetheless，withanassurancethatcouldnotbegainsaid。
　　"Because，"shesaid，"myhusbandmerelykilledaburglar。"Inherturn，shepointedtowardthebodyofthedeadman。"Thatman，"shecontinuedevenly，"wastheburglar。Youknowthat!Myhusbandshothimindefenseofhishome!"Therewasabriefsilence。Then，sheadded，withawonderfulmildnessinthemusicofhervoice。"Andso，Inspector，asyouknowofcourse，hewaswithinthelaw!"
　　CHAPTERXX。WHOSHOTGRIGGS？
　　Inhisofficenextmorning，InspectorBurkewasfumingoverthefailureofhisconspiracy。Hehadhopedthroughthisplottovindicatehisauthority，sosadlyflauntedbyGarsonandMaryTurner。Insteadofthismuch-to-be-desiredresultfromhisscheming，theoutcomehadbeennothinglessthandisastrous。Theonecertainfactwasthathismostvaluableallyinhiswarfareagainstthecriminalsofthecityhadbeendonetodeath。SomeonehadmurderedGriggs，thestool-pigeon。WhereBurkehadmeanttoserveamanofhighinfluence，EdwardGilder，byrailroadingthebrideofthemagnate'ssontoprison，hehadsucceededonlyinmakingthetroubleofthatmerchantprincevastlyworseintheendingoftheaffairbyarrestingthesonforthecapitalcrimeofmurder。Thesituationwas，inverytruth，intolerable。Morethanever，Burkegrewhotwithintenttoovercomethewomanwhohadsopersistentlyoutragedhisauthoritybyheringeniousdevicesagainstthelaw。Anyhow，themurderofGriggscouldnotgounpunished。Theslayer'sidentitymustbedetermined，andthereaftertheduepenaltyofthelawinflicted，whoevertheguiltypersonmightprovetobe。Tothediscoveryofthisidentity，theInspectorwasatthepresentmomentdevotinghimselfbyadroitquestioningofDaceyandChicagoRed，whohadbeenarrestedinoneoftheiraccustomedhauntsbyhismenashorttimebefore。
　　Thepolicemanondutyatthedoorwastheonlyotherpersonintheroom，andinconsequenceBurkepermittedhimself，quiteunashamed，toemploythosemethodsofpersuasionwhichhaverisentoahighdegreeofadmirationinpolicecircles。
　　"Comeacrossnow!"headmonished。HisvoicerolledforthlikethatofabullofBashan。Hewasonhisfeet，facingthetwothieves。Hisheadwasthrustforwardmenacingly，andhiseyesweresavage。Thetwomenshrankbeforehim——bothinnaturalfear，and，too，inafurtivepolicyoftheirown。Thiswasnooccasionforthemtoassertapersonalprideagainstthemanwhohadtheminhistoils。
　　"Idon'tknownothin'!"ChicagoRed'svoicewasbetweenasnarlandawhine。"Ain'tIbeentellingyouthatforoveranhour？"
　　Burkevouchsafednoanswerinspeech，butwithanimblenesssurprisinginoneofhisbulk，gaveDacey，whochancedtobethenearerofthetwo，ashovethatsentthefellowstaggeringhalf-wayacrosstheroomunderitsimpetus。
　　Withthisbywayofappreciableintroductiontohisseriousnessofpurpose，Burkeputaquestion:
　　"Dacey，howlonghaveyoubeenout？"
　　Theanswercameinasibilantwhisperofdread。
　　"Aweek。"
　　Burkepushedtheimplicationbrutally。
　　"Wanttogobackforanotherstretch？"TheInspector'svoicewasfreightedwithsuggestionsofdisasterstocome，whichwerewellunderstoodbythecringingwretchbeforehim。
　　Thethiefshuddered，andhisface，alreadypallidfromtheprisonlackofsunlightlikesomenoxiousgrowthofacellar，becamelivid。Hiswordscameinamuffledmoanoffear。
　　"God，no!"
　　Burkeleftalittleintervalofsilencetheninwhichthethievesmighttrembleovertheprospectsuggestedbyhiswords，butalwayshemaintainedhissteady，relentlessglareonthecowedcreatures。Itwasafamiliarwarfarewithhim。Yet，inthisinstance，hewasdestinedtofailure，forthemenwereofatypedifferentfromthatofEnglishEddie，whowaslyingdeadasthemeetrewardfortreacherytohisfellows……When，atlast，hisquestionissuedfromtheclose-shutlips，itcamelikethecrackofagun。
　　"WhoshotGriggs？"
　　Thereplywasachorusfromthetwo:
　　"Idon'tknow——honest，Idon't!"
　　Inhiseagerness，ChicagoRedmovedtowardhisquestioner——unwisely。
　　"HonesttoGawd，Idon'tknownothin'aboutit!"
　　TheInspector'sfistshotouttowardChicagoRed'sjaw。Theimpactwasenough。Thethiefwenttohiskneesundertheblow。
　　"Now，getup——andtalk!"Burke'svoicecamewithunrepentantnoisinessagainstthestrickenman。
　　Cringingly，ChicagoRed，whosogloriedinhisstrength，yetwasnowaltogetherhumbleinthisprecariouscase，obeyedasfarasthegettingtohisfeetwasconcerned……Itneveroccurredtohimeventhatheshouldcarryhisobediencetothepointof"squealingonapal!"Hadthecircumstancesbeendifferent，hemighthaverefusedtoaccepttheInspector'sblowwithsuchmeekness，sinceaboveallthingshelovedabitofbodilystrifewithsomeonenearhisownstrength，andtheInspectorwasofasorttoofferhimabattleworthwhile。
　　So，now，whilehegotslowlytohisfeet，hetookcaretokeepatarespectfuldistancefromtheofficial，thoughhisbighandsfairlyachedtodoubleintofistsforblowswiththismanwhohadsomaltreatedhim。
　　Hisownself-respect，ofitspeculiarsort，wassavedbytheinterferenceofCassidy，whoenteredtheInspector'sofficetoannouncethearrivaloftheDistrictAttorney。
　　"Send'imin，"Burkedirectedatonce。Hemadeagesturetowardthedoorman，andadded:"Take'emback!"
　　Agrinofevilhumorwrithedthelipsofthepoliceofficial，andheaddedtotheattentivedoormanawordofdirectionthatmightwellbeinterpretedbythemalevolentexpressiononhisface。
　　"Don'tberoughwith'em，Dan，"hesaid。Foronce，hisdominatingvoicewasreducedtosomethingapproachingsoftness，inhissardonicappreciationofhisownhumorintheconceptionofwhatthesetwomen，whohadventuredtoresisthisimportunities，mightreceiveatthehandsofhisfaithfulsatellites……Thedoormangrinnedappreciatively，andherdedhisvictimsfromtheplace。Andthetwowentshamblinglyinsureknowledgeofthethingsthatwereinstore。Yet，withoutthoughtoftreachery。Theywouldnot"squeal"!AlltheywouldtellofthedeathofEddieGriggswouldbe:"Hegotwhatwascomingtohim!"
　　TheInspectordroppedintohisswivelchairatthedeskwhilstheawaitedthearrivalofDemarest，theDistrictAttorney。Thegreetingsbetweenthetwowerecordialwhenatlastthepublicprosecutormadehisappearance。
　　"IcameassoonasIgotyourmessage，"theDistrictAttorneysaid，asheseatedhimselfinachairbythedesk。"AndI'vesentwordtoMr。Gilder……Now，then，Burke，let'shavethisthingquickly。"
　　TheInspector'sexplanationwasconcise:
　　"JoeGarson，ChicagoRed，andDacey，alongwithGriggs，brokeintoEdwardGilder'shouse，lastnight!Iknewthetrickwasgoingtobepulledoff，andsoIplantedCassidyandacoupleofothermenjustoutsidetheroomwherethehaulwastobemade。
　　Then，Iwentaway，andaftersomethinglikehalfanhourIcamebacktomakethearrestsmyself。"AlookofintensedisgustspreaditselfovertheInspector'smassiveface。"Well，"heconcludedsheepishly，"whenIbrokeintotheroomIfoundyoungGilderalongwiththatTurnerwomanhemarried，andtheywerejusttalkingtogether。"
　　"Notraceoftheothers？"Demarestquestionedcrisply。
　　Attheinquiry，Burke'sfacecrimsonedangrily，thenagainsetingrimlines。
　　"IfoundGriggslyingonthefloor——dead!"Onceagainthedisgustshowedinhisexpression。"TheTurnerwomansaysyoungGildershotGriggsbecausehebrokeintothehouse。Ain'tthatthelimit？"
　　"Whatdoestheboysay？"theDistrictAttorneydemanded。
　　Burkeshookhisheaddispiritedly。
　　"Nothing，"heanswered。"Shetoldhimnottotalk，andso，ofcourse，hewon't，he'ssuchafooloverher。"
　　"Andwhatdoesshesay？"Demarestasked。HefoundhimselfratheramusedbytheexceedingchagrinoftheInspectoroverthisaffair。
　　Burke'svoicegrewsavageashesnappedareply。
　　"Refusestotalktillsheseesalawyer。Butatouchofcheerfulnessappearedinhistonesasheproceeded。"We'vegotChicagoRedandDacey，andwe'llhaveGarsonbeforetheday'sover。And，oh，yes，they'vepickedupayounggirlattheTurnerwoman'splace。Andwe'vegotonerealclue——foronce!"Thespeaker'sexpressionwassuddenlytriumphant。Heopenedadrawerofthedesk，andtookoutGarson'spistol，towhichthesilencerwasstillattached。
　　"Youneversawagunlikethatbefore，eh？"heexclaimed。
　　Demarestadmittedthefactafteracuriousexamination。
　　"I'llbetyouneverdid!"Burkecried，withsatisfaction。"ThatthingontheendisaMaximsilencer。Therearethousandsoftheminuseonrifles，butthey'veneverbeenabletousethemonrevolversbefore。Thisisaspeciallymadegun，"hewentonadmiringly，ashetookitbackandslippeditintoapocketofhiscoat。"Thatthingisabsolutelynoiseless。I'vetriedit。
　　Well，yousee，it'llbeaneasything——easiestthingintheworld!——totracethatsilencerattachment。Cassidy'sworkingonthatendofthethingnow。"
　　Forafewminuteslonger，thetwomendiscussedthedetailsofthecrime，theorizingoverthebafflingevent。Then，presently，Cassidyenteredtheoffice，andmadereportofhisinvestigationsconcerningthepistolwiththesilencerattachment。
　　"IgotthefactoryatHartfordonthewire，"heexplained，"andtheygavemeMr。Maximhimself，theinventorofthesilencer。Hesaidthiswassurelyaspecialgun，whichwasmadefortheuseofHenrySylvester，oneoftheprofessorsatYale。Hewanteditfordemonstrationpurposes。Mr。Maximsaidthethingshaveneverbeenputonthemarket，andthattheyneverwillbe。"
　　"Forhumanereasons，"Demarestcommented，noddingapprobation。
　　"Goodthing，too!"Burkeconceded。"They'dmakemurdertoodevilisheasy，andit'seasyenoughnow……Well，Cassidy？"
　　"Igotholdofthisman，Sylvester，"Cassidywenton。"Ihadhimonthe'phone，too。Hesaysthathishousewasrobbedabouteightweeksago，andamongotherthingsthesilencerwasstolen。"
　　Cassidypaused，andchuckleddrily。"HeaddsthestartlinginformationthattheNewHavenpolicehavenotbeenabletorecoveranyofthestolenproperty。Themrubecopsareimmense!"
　　Demarestsmiledslyly，asthedetective，atanodfromhissuperior，wenttowardthedoor。
　　"No，"hesaid，maliciously；"onlytheNewYorkpolicerecoverstolengoods。"
　　"Good-night!"quothCassidy，turningatthedoor，inadmissionofhisdiscomfitureoverthethrust，whileBurkehimselfgrinnedwrylyinappreciationofthegibe。
　　Demarestgrewgraveagain，asheputthequestionthatwastroublinghimmost。
　　"IsthereanychancethatyoungGilderdidshootGriggs？"
　　"Youcansearchme!"theInspectoranswered，disconsolately。"MymenwerejustoutsidethedooroftheroomwhereEddieGriggswasshottodeath，andnoneof'emheardasound。It'sthatinfernalsilencerthing。Ofcourse，Iknowthatallthegangwasinthehouse。"
　　"Buttellmejusthowyouknowthatfact，"Demarestobjectedverycrisply。"Didyouseethemgoin？"
　　"No，Ididn't，"theInspectoradmitted，tartly。"ButGriggs——"
　　Demarestpermittedhimselfasneerbornoflegalknowledge。
　　"Griggsisdead，Burke。You'reupagainstit。Youcan'tprovethatGarson，orChicagoRed，orDacey，everenteredthathouse。"
　　TheInspectorscowledoverthispositivestatement。
　　"ButGriggssaidtheyweregoingto，"heargued。
　　"Iknow，"Demarestagreed，withanexasperatingairofshrewdness；"butGriggsisdead。Yousee，Burke，youcouldn'tinatrialevenrepeatwhathetoldyou。It'snotpermissibleevidence。"
　　"Oh，thelaw!"theInspectorsnorted，withmuchcholer。"Well，then，"hewentonbelligerently，"I'llchargeyoungGilderwithmurder，andcalltheTurnerwomanasawitness。"
　　TheDistrictAttorneylaughedaloudoverthisproject。
　　"Youcan'tquestionheronthewitness-stand，"heexplainedpatronizinglytothebadgeredpoliceofficial。"Thelawdoesn'tallowyoutomakeawifetestifyagainstherhusband。And，what'smore，youcan'tarresther，andthenforcehertogointothewitness-stand，either。No，Burke，"heconcludedemphatically，"youronlychanceofgettingthemurdererofGriggsisbyaconfession。"
　　"Then，I'llchargethembothwiththemurder，"theInspectorgrowledvindictively。"And，byGod，they'llbothgototrialunlesssomebodycomesthrough。"Hebroughthishugefistdownonthedeskwithviolence，andhisvoicewasforbidding。"Ifit'smylastactonearth，"hedeclared，"I'mgoingtogetthemanwhoshotEddieGriggs。"
　　Demarestwasseriouslydisturbedbythesituationthathaddeveloped。HewasundergreatpersonalobligationstoEdwardGilder，whoseinfluenceinfacthadbeentheprimecauseofhissuccessinattainingtotheimportantofficialpositionhenowheld，andhewouldhavegonefartoservethemagnateinanydifficultythatmightarise。Hehadbeenperfectlywillingtoemployalltheresourcesofhisofficetorelievethesonfromtheentanglementwithawomanofunsavorynotoriety。Now，thankstothemiscarriedplottingofBurketothelikeend，whatbeforehadbeenmerelyaviciousstateofaffairswasbecomeoneoftheutmostdreadfulness。TheworstofcrimeshadbeencommittedinthehouseofEdwardGilderhimself，andhissonacknowledgedhimselfasthemurderer。
　　TheDistrictAttorneyfeltagenuinesorrowinthinkingoftheanguishthiseventmusthavebroughtonthefather。Hehad，aswell，sympathyenoughfortheson。Hisacquaintancewiththeyoungmanconvincedhimthattheboyhadnotdonethedeedofbloodyviolence。Inthatfactwasaminglingofcomfortandofanxiety。Ithadbeenbetter，doubtless，ifindeedDickhadshotGriggs，hadindictedajustpenaltyonahousebreaker。ButtheDistrictAttorneywasnotinclinedtocredittheconfession。Burke'saccountoftheplotinwhichthestool-pigeonhadbeentheagentofferedtoomanycomplications。Altogether，theaspectofthecaseservedtoindicatethatDickcouldnothavebeentheslayer……Demarestshookhisheaddejectedly。
　　"Burke，"hesaid，"Iwanttheboytogofree。Idon'tbelieveforaminutethatDickGildereverkilledthispetstool-pigeonofyours。And，so，youmustunderstandthis:Iwanthimtogofree，ofcourse。"
　　Burkefrownedrefusalatthissuggestion。Herewasamatterinwhichhisrightsmustnotbeinvaded。He，too，wouldhavegonefartoserveamanofEdwardGilder'sstanding，butinthisinstancehisprofessionalpridewasinrevolt。Hehadbeendefied，trapped，madeavictimofthegangwhohadkilledhismostvaluedinformer。
　　"Theyoungster'llgofreewhenhetellswhatheknows，"hesaidangrily，"andnotaminutebefore。"Hisexpressionlightenedalittle。"Perhapstheoldgentlemancanmakehimtalk。Ican't。
　　He'sunderthatwoman'sthumb，ofcourse，andshe'stoldhimhemustn'tsayaword。So，hedon't。"Agrinofhalf-embarrassedappreciationmovedtheheavyjawsasheglancedattheDistrictAttorney。"Yousee，"heexplained，"Ican'tmakehimtalk，butI
　　mightifcircumstancesweredifferent。Onaccountofhisbeingtheoldman'sson，I'malittlecrampedinmystyle。"
　　Itwas，intruth，onethingtobrowbeatandassaultaconvictlikeDaceyorChicagoRed，butquiteanothertoemploythelikeviolenceagainstayouthofDickGilder'spositionintheworld。
　　Demarestunderstoodperfectly，buthewasinclinedtobescepticalovertheInspector'stheorythatDickpossessedactualcognizanceastothekillingofGriggs。
　　"YouthinkthatyoungGilderreallyknows？"hequestioned，doubtfully。
　　"Idon'tthinkanything——yet!"Burkeretorted。"AllIknowisthis:EddieGriggs，themostvaluablecrookthateverworkedforme，hasbeenmurdered。"Theofficial'svoicewaschargedwiththreateningashewenton。"Andsomeone，manorwoman，isgoingtopayforit!"
　　"Woman？"Demarestrepeated，insomeastonishment。
　　Burke'svoicecamemerciless。
　　"Imean，MaryTurner，"hesaidslowly。
　　Demarestwasshocked。
　　"But，Burke，"heexpostulated，"she'snotthatsort。"TheInspectorsneeredopenly。
　　"Howdoyouknowsheain't？"hedemanded。"Well，anyhow，she'smadeamonkeyoutofthePoliceDepartment，and，first，last，andallthetime，I'macopper……Andthatremindsme，"hewentonwitharesumptionofhisusualcurtbluntness，"IwantyoutowaitforMr。Gilderoutside，whileIgetbusywiththegirlthey'vebroughtdownfromMaryTurner'sflat。"
　　CHAPTERXXI。AGGIEATBAY。
　　Burke，afterthelawyerhadlefthim，watchedthedoorexpectantlyforthecomingofthegirl，whomhehadorderedbroughtbeforehim。But，whenatlastDanappeared，andstoodasidetopermitherpassingintotheoffice，theInspectorgaspedattheunexpectednessofthevision。Hehadanticipatedthecomingofawomanofthatworldwithwhichhewasmostfamiliarintheexerciseofhisprofessionalduties——theunderworldofcriminals，someonebeautifulperhaps，butwiththebrandofviciousnessmarkedsubtly，yetvisiblyforthetrainedeyetosee。Then，eveninthatfirstmoment，hetoldhimselfthatheshouldhavebeenpreparedfortheunusualinthisinstance，sincethegirlhadtodowithMaryTurner，andthatdisturbingpersonherselfshowedinfaceandformandmannernothingtosuggestaughtbutagentlewoman。And，inthenextinstant，theInspectorforgothissurpriseinasincere，almostardentadmiration。
　　Thegirlwasrathershort，butofaslendereleganceofformthatwasravishing。Shewasgowned，too，withachicnicetytoarousetheenvyofallless-fortunatewomen。Hercostumehadaboutitanindubitableair，afinalityofperfectioninitskind。Onanother，itmighthaveappearedperhapsthemeresttriflegarish。
　　Butthatfault，ifinfactiteverexisted，wasmadeintoavirtuebythecorrectinginnocenceofthegirl'sface。Itwasachildishface，childishintheexquisitesmoothnessofthesoft，pinkskin，childishinthewonderingstareoftheblueeyes，nowsowidelyopenedindismay，childishinthewistfuldroopingoftherosebudmouth。
　　Thegirladvancedslowly，withalaggardhesitationinhermovementsobviouslyfromfear。Sheapproachedthedesk，frombehindwhichtheInspectorwatched，fascinatedbythefreshandwholesomebeautyofthisyoungcreature。Hefailedtoobservetheunderlyingangerbeneaththegirl'soutwarddisplayofalarm。
　　Heshookoffhisfirstimpressionbymeansofaresorttohiscustomaryblusterinsuchcases。
　　"Now，then，mygirl，"hesaidroughly，"Iwanttoknow——"
　　Therecameachange，wroughtinthetwinklingofaneye。Thetiny，trimlyshodfootofthegirlroseandfellinawrathfulstamp。
　　"Howdareyou!"Theclearblueeyeswerebecomedarkenedwithanger。Therewasadeepenedleafofredineithercheek。Thedroopinglipsdroopednolonger，butwerebenttoahaughtinessthatwasfinelyimpressive。
　　Beforetheoffendedindignationoftheyoungwoman，Burkesatbewilderedbyembarrassmentforonceinhislife，andquiteataloss。
　　"What'sthat？"hesaid，dubiously。
　　Thegirlexplainedthematterexplicitlyenough。
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbythisoutrage？"shestormed。Hervoicewaslowandrich，withacharmingroundnessthatseemedtheveryhallmarkofgentility。But，now，itwassurchargedwithanindignantamazementovertheindignityputuponherbytherepresentativesofthelaw。Then，abruptly，theblueeyesweresoftenedintheirfires，asbythesuddennearnessoftears。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"thegirlrepeated。Herslimformwastensewithwrath。"Idemandmyinstantrelease。"Therewasindescribablerebukeinherslowemphasisofthewords。
　　Burkewasimpressedinspiteofhimself，inspiteofhisaccustomedcoldindifferencetothefeelingsofothersasnecessitycompelledhimtomakeinvestigationofthem。Hisharsh，blusteringvoicesoftenedperceptibly，andhespokeinawheedlingtone，suchasonemightemployintheefforttotranquillizeaspoiledchildinafitoftemper。
　　"Waitaminute，"heremonstrated。"Waitaminute!"Hemadeapacificallycourteousgesturetowardoneofthechairs，whichstoodbyanendofthedesk。"Sitdown，"heinvited，withanefforttowardcajoling。
　　Thescornofthegirlwassuperb。Hervoicecameicily，assheanswered:
　　"Ishalldonothingofthesort。Sitdown，indeed!——here!Why，I
　　havebeenarrested——"Therecameabreakinthemusicofhertonesthrobbingresentment。Alittlesobcreptin，andbrokethesequenceofwords。Thedaintyfacewasvividwithshame。"I——"
　　shefaltered，"I'vebeenarrested——byacommonpoliceman!"
　　TheInspectorseizedontheoneflawlefthimfordefenseagainstherindictment。
　　"No，no，miss，"heargued，earnestly。"Excuseme。Itwasn'tanycommonpoliceman——itwasadetectivesergeant。"
　　Buthisefforttoplacatewasquiteinvain。Theingenuouslittlebeautywiththechild'sfaceandtheblueeyessowidelyopenedfairlypantedinherrevoltagainsttheignominyofherposition，andwasnottobesoeasilyappeased。Hervoicecamevibrantwithdisdain。HerlevelgazeontheInspectorwasofasorttosuggesttohimanxietiesoverpossiblecomplicationshere。
　　"Youwait!"shecriedviolently。"Youjustwait，Itellyou，untilmypapahearsofthis!"
　　Burkeregardedthefuriousgirldoubtfully。
　　"Whoisyourpapa？"heasked，withabitofalarmstirringinhisbreast，forhehadnomindtooffendanyoneofimportancewheretherewasnoneed。
　　"Isha'n'ttellyou，"camethepetulantretortfromthegirl。
　　Herivoryforeheadwaswrinkledcharminglyinalittlefrownofobstinacy。"Why，"shewenton，displayingnewsymptomsofdistressoveranotherappallingideathatflashedonherinthismoment，"youwouldprobablygivemynametothereporters。"Onceagaintherosebudmouthdroopedintocurvesofsorrow，ofagreatself-pity。"Ifitevergotintothenewspapers，myfamilywoulddieofshame!"
　　Thepathosofherfearpiercedthroughthehardenedcrustofthepoliceofficial。Hespokeapologetically。
　　"Now，theeasiestwayoutforbothofus，"hesuggested，"isforyoutotellmejustwhoyouare。Yousee，younglady，youwerefoundinthehouseofanotoriouscrook。"
　　Thehaughtinessofthegirlwaxed。ItseemedasifshegrewaninchtallerinherscornoftheInspector'ssaying。
　　"Howperfectlyabsurd!"sheexclaimed，scathingly。"IwascallingonMissMaryTurner!"
　　"Howdidyoucometomeether，anyhow？"Burkeinquired。Hestillheldhisbigvoicetoasoftermodulationthanthattowhichitwashabituated。
　　Yet，thedisdainofthegirlseemedonlytoincreasemomently。
　　Sheshowedplainlythatsheregardedthisbrass-buttonedofficialasoneunbearablyinsolentinhisdemeanortowardher。
　　Nevertheless，shecondescendedtoreply，withanexaggerationofthearistocraticdrawltoindicateherdispleasure。
　　"IwasintroducedtoMissTurner，"sheexplained，"byMr。RichardGilder。Perhapsyouhaveheardofhisfather，theowneroftheEmporium。"
　　"Oh，yes，I'veheardofhisfather，andofhim，too，"Burkeadmitted，placatingly。
　　Butthegirlrelaxednotawhitinherattitudeofoffense。
　　"Then，"shewentonseverely，"youmustseeatoncethatyouareentirelymistakeninthismatter。"HerblueeyeswidenedfurtherasshestaredaccusinglyattheInspector，whobetrayedevidencesofperplexity，andhesitatedforananswer。Then，thedoll-like，charmingfacetookonasofterlook，whichhadinitasuggestionofappeal。
　　"Don'tyouseeit？"shedemanded。
　　"Well，no，"Burkerejoineduneasily；"notexactly，Idon't!"Inthepresenceofthisdelicateandgracefulfemininity，heexperiencedasudden，noveldistasteforhisusualsledge-hammermethodsofattackininterrogation。Yet，hisdutyrequiredthatheshouldcontinuehisquestioning。Hefoundhimselfinfactbetweenthedevilandthedeepsea——thoughthisparticulardevilappearedratherasanangeloflight。
　　Now，athissomewhatfeebleremarkinreplytoherquery，thechildishfacegrewashardasitscurvingcontourswouldpermit。
　　"Sir!"shecriedindignantly。Herlittleheadwasthrownbackinscornfulreproof，andsheturnedashouldertowardtheofficialcontemptuously。
　　"Now，now!"Burkeexclaimedinremonstrance。Afterall，hecouldnotbebrutalwiththisguilelessmaiden。Hemust，however，makethesituationcleartoher，lestshethinkhimabeast——whichwouldneverdo!
　　"Yousee，younglady，"hewentonwithagentlenessofvoiceandmannerthatwouldhavebeeninconceivabletoDaceyandChicagoRed；"yousee，thefactisthat，evenifyouwereintroducedtothisMaryTurnerbyyoungMr。Gilder，thissameMaryTurnerherselfisanex-convict，andshe'sjustbeenarrestedformurder。"
　　Atthedreadword，astartlingchangewaswroughtinthegirl。
　　ShewheeledtofacetheInspector，herslenderbodyswayingalittletowardhim。Theratherheavybrowswereliftedslightlyinadisbelievingstare。Theredlipswereparted，roundedtoatremuloushorror。
　　"Murder!"shegasped；andthenwassilent。
　　"Yes，"Burkewenton，whollyateasenow，sincehehadbrokentheicethuseffectually。"Yousee，ifthere'samistakeaboutyou，youdon'twantittogoanyfurther——notamitefurther，that'ssure。So，yousee，now，that'soneofthereasonswhyImustknowjustwhoyouare。"Then，inhisturn，Burkeputthequerythatthegirlhadputtohimalittlewhilebefore。"Youseethat，don'tyou？"
　　"Oh，yes，yes!"wastheinstantagreement。"Youshouldhavetoldmeallaboutthishorridthinginthefirstplace。"Now，thegirl'smannerwastransformed。ShesmiledwistfullyontheInspector，andtheglanceoftheblueeyeswasverykind，subtlyalluring。Yetinthisunbending，thereappearedevenmoredecisivelythanhithertothefinequalitiesinbearingofonedelicatelynurtured。Shesankdowninachairbythedesk，andforthwithspokewithasimplicitythatinitselfwassomehowpeculiarlypotentinitseffectontheofficialwhogaveattentiveear。
　　"MynameisHelenTraversWest，"sheannounced。
　　Burkestartedalittleinhisseat，andregardedthespeakerwithanewdeferenceasheheardthatnameuttered。
　　"Notthedaughteroftherailwaypresident？"heinquired。
　　"Yes，"thegirladmitted。Then，anew，shedisplayedaseriousagitationoverthethoughtofanypossiblepublicityinthisaffair。
　　"Oh，please，don'ttellanyone，"shebeggedprettily。Theblueeyeswereveryimploring，beguiling，too。Thetimidsmilethatwreathedthetinymouthwasmarvelouslywinning。Theneatlyglovedlittlehandswereheldoutstretched，claspedinsupplication。"Surely，sir，youseenowquiteplainlywhyitmustneverbeknownbyanyoneinallthewide，wideworldthatI
　　haveeverbeenbroughttothisperfectlydreadfulplace——thoughyouhavebeenquitenice!"Hervoicedroppedtoanoteofmusicalprayerfulness。Thewordswerespokenverysoftlyandveryslowly，withintonationsdifficultforamantodeny。"Pleaseletmegohome。"Shepluckedaminutehandkerchieffromherhandbag，putittohereyes，andbegantosobquietly。
　　TheburlyInspectorofPolicewasmovedtoquicksympathy。
　　Really，whenallwassaidanddone，itwasashamethatonelikehershouldbysomefreakoffatehavebecomeinvolvedinthesordid，viciousthingsthathisprofessionmadeitobligatoryonhimtoinvestigate。Therewasaconsiderablehintofthepaternalinhisairashemadeanattempttoofferconsolationtotheafflicteddamsel。
　　"That'sallright，littlelady，"heexclaimedcheerfully。"Now，don'tyoubeworried——notalittlebit。Takeitfromme，MissWest……Justgoahead，andtellmeallyouknowaboutthisTurnerwoman。Didyouseeheryesterday？"
　　Thegirl'ssobsceased。Afterafinaldabwiththeminutehandkerchief，sheleanedforwardalittletowardtheInspector，andproceededtoputaquestiontohimwithgreateagerness。
　　"WillyouletmegohomeassoonasI'vetoldyoutheteensylittleIknow？"
　　"Yes，"Burkeagreedpromptly，withanencouragingsmile。Andforagoodmeasureofreassurance，headdedasonemighttoanalarmedchild:"Nooneisgoingtohurtyou，younglady。"
　　"Well，then，yousee，itwasthisway，"beganthebriskexplanation。"Mr。Gilderwascallingonmeoneafternoon，andhesaidtomethenthatheknewaverycharmingyoungwoman，who——"
　　Herethespeechendedabruptly，andonceagainthehandkerchiefwasbroughtintoplayasthesobbingbrokeforthwithincreasedviolence。Presently，thegirl'svoiceroseinawail。
　　"Oh，thisisdreadful——dreadful!"Inthefinalword，thewailbroketoamoan。
　　Burkefelthimselfvaguelyguiltyasthecauseofsuchsufferingonthepartofonesoyoung，sofair，soinnocent。Asaculprit，hesoughthisbesttoaffordameasureofsoothingforthisgriefthathadhaditssourceinhisperformanceofduty。