"The thief you are looking for has gone," said I. "He escaped by the coal-window." By this statement, my feet sank deeper still. "What did I tell you?" cried Haggerty, turning to his men. "They had an accomplice hidden in the cellars." "I beg to inform you that you are making a mistake that will presently cost you dear,"--thinking of the political pull my uncle had in New York. "I am the nephew of Daniel Witherspoon." "Worse and worse!" said the chief of police. "We shall discuss the mistake later and at length. Of course you can easily explain how you came to impose upon these people,"--ironically. "Bah! the game is up. When you dropped that card in Friard's and said you were going to a masquerade, I knew your game in a minute, and laid eyes upon you for the first time since I began the chase. I've been after you for weeks. Your society dodge has worked out, and I'll land you behind the bars for some time to come, my gay boy. Come,"--roughly. "I request Mr. Hamilton to be called. He will prove to you that you are greatly mistaken." Everything looked pretty black, I can tell you. "You will see whom you please, but only after you are safely landed in the lockup. Now, Madame,"--turning swiftly upon the Blue Domino, "what is your part in this fine business?" "It certainly has no part in yours,"--icily. Haggerty smiled. "My skin is very thick. Do you know this fellow?" She shook her head. He stood undecided for a space. "Let me see your card." "I decline to produce it,"--haughtily. Haggerty seemed staggered for a moment. "I am sorry to annoy you, but you must be identified at once." "And why?"--proudly. "Was it forbidden to go into the club cellars for such harmless things as apples?" Apples! I looked at her admiringly. "Apples?" repeated Haggerty. "Couldn't you have sent a servant for them?" She did not reply. "You were with this clever gentleman in the cellars. You may or may not be acquainted with him. I do not wish to do anything hasty in regard to yourself, but your position is rather equivocal. Produce your card and be identified--if you really can." "I refuse!" "Then I shall ask you to accompany us to the room up stairs till the police-patrol arrives." "I will go,"--quietly. "Nonsense!" I objected. "On my word of honor, I do not know this lady. Our presence in the cellar was perfectly harmless. There is no valid reason for detaining her. It is an outrage!" "I am not going to stand here arguing with you," said Haggerty. "Let the lady produce her card; let her disclose her identity. That is simple enough." "I have already given you my determination on that subject," replied the girl. "I can very well explain my presence here, but I absolutely decline to explain it to the police." I didn't understand her at all. She had said that she possessed an alibi. Why didn't she produce it?