"I trust you will be able to prove the truth of your assertions, madame," Mr. Rider quietly returned. "If you can do so, you will, of course, have no further trouble. But I must do my duty. I have been employed to search for a pair of diamond crescents which properly belong to a person in Chicago. I have seen such a pair in your ears to-night. You also wear a cross like one that I am searching for, and I shall be obliged to take you into custody until the matter can be properly investigated." Mrs. Vanderheck was evidently very much startled and upset by this information, yet she behaved with remarkable fortitude, considering the trying circumstances. "What am I to do?" she inquired, again appealing to the policeman attending her. "The crescents he mentions are _mine_--I bought them almost three years ago in Boston. Of course, I know that I must prove my statement, and I think I can if you will give me time, for I believe I still have the bill of sale in my possession. I will look it up, and if"--turning to the detective--"you will call upon me some time to-morrow you shall have it." Mr. Rider smiled, for the unsophisticated suggestion amused him immensely. "I cannot lose sight of you, madame," he said, courteously. "What you have said may be true; I shall be glad, on your account, if it proves so; but my duty to others must be rigidly enforced, and so I am obliged to arrest you." "But _I_ cannot submit to an _arrest_; you surely do not mean that I--a woman in _my_ position--am to be imprisoned on the charge of _theft_!" exclaimed the woman, growing deadly white. "The law is no respecter of persons or position, madame," laconically responded the detective. "What _can I_ do?" Mrs. Vanderheck cried, in a tone of despair. "Rider, I am afraid you have made a mistake," the policeman now remarked, in a low tone; "the woman is all right. I've acted as escort for her on such occasions as these for the last two years." The detective looked astonished and somewhat perplexed at this statement. If Mrs. Vanderheck had led a respectable life in New York for two years, and was as well known to this officer as he represented, he also began to fear that he might have made a mistake. "You are willing to defer the arrest if she can furnish ample security for her appearance when wanted?" the policeman asked, after a moment of thought. "Ye-es; but responsible parties must vouch for her," Mr. Rider answered, with some hesitation. The woman seized the suggestion with avidity. "Oh, then, I have a dozen friends who will serve me," she cried, eagerly. "Come back to the ball-room with me and you shall have security to any amount." and with a haughty air she turned back and entered the brilliantly lighted building which she had recently left.