When he entered the room, he found himself in a semi-official state again, and I saw that he was not come for nothing. In a few brief words, he told me what he had done, which was not very much; or perhaps my suspicion was right, that he only told me a part of it. Then he said abruptly, "Miss Valence, I know pluck when I see it." "What do you mean, Mr. Cutting?" "Excuse me, I forgot that you have been reared in the country. What I mean is, that I believe you possess an unusual share of courage." "As to that, I cannot say, having never been severely tried; but in such a cause as mine, I could go through a good deal." "And not lose your presence of mind, even in real danger?" "That again I cannot say, and for the same reason. But I am quite ready to make the trial." I felt the colour mounting in my cheeks. How glad I should be to prove to myself that I was not ignoble. He observed me closely, and appeared quite satisfied. "What I have to propose to you, is attended with no little danger." "I will do my utmost not to be afraid. I am more impulsive perhaps than brave, but what is life worth to me? I will try to think of that all the time. No doubt you have a good reason for exposing me to danger." "Certainly I have, Miss Valence. For your own purpose it is most important that you should be able to identify certain persons, whom I shall show you to-night; that is, unless I am misinformed." "To-night! so late as this?" And I began to tremble already. "Yes, we must go to-night, or wait for another fortnight; and then it would be no earlier, even if we got such a chance again. And for your sake it is better than to be in a fright for a fortnight." "Inspector Cutting, I am in no fright whatever. At least I mean no more so than any other girl would be, who felt a vague danger impending. I hope and trust that my father’s memory and the justice of God will be with me." "Young lady, I see that I may safely venture it. If you had boasted, I should have hesitated, though I have had some proof already of your determination. The chief, and indeed the only danger, is lest you lose your presence of mind, and that most females would do, if placed as you will be. Now I wish you to make deliberate choice, and not to be carried away by impulse vindictiveness, or the love of adventure; which, when the spirit is high like yours, too often leads young females into trouble, from which it is not always possible even for the most capable members of the force to extricate them." "Of course I know all that. How much longer are we to talk? Must I disguise myself? When am I to be ready? And where are we going?" "Now you are growing impatient. That is not a good sign. Remember, I can easily procure another witness; but for your own sake I wish to give you the chance. Probably you will see to-night the man who killed your father."