"You can name this gentleman, can you not, Miss Oliver, even if he does not choose to recognize _you_?" But her answer, if she made one, was inaudible, and the sole result which Mr. Gryce obtained from this venture was a quick look from Mr. Van Burnam and the following uncompromising words from his lips: "If you think this young girl knows me, or that I know her, you are greatly mistaken. She is as much of a stranger to me as I am to her, and I take this opportunity of saying so. I hope my liberty and good name are not to be made dependent upon the word of a miserable waif like this." "Your liberty and your good name will depend upon your innocence," retorted Mr. Gryce, and said no more, feeling himself at a disadvantage before the imperturbability of this man and the silent, non-accusing attitude of this woman, from the shock of whose passions he had anticipated so much and obtained so little. Meantime they were moving rapidly towards Police Headquarters, and fearing that the sight of that place might alarm Miss Oliver more than was well for her, he strove again to rouse her by a kindly word or so. But it was useless. She evidently tried to pay attention and follow the words he used, but her thoughts were too busy over the one great subject that engrossed her. "A bad case!" murmured Mr. Van Burnam, and with the phrase seemed to dismiss all thought of her. "A bad case!" echoed Mr. Gryce, "but," seeing how fast the look of resolution was replacing her previous aspect of frenzy, "one that will do mischief yet to the man who has deceived her." The stopping of the carriage roused her. Looking up, she spoke for the first time. "I want a police officer," she said. Mr. Gryce, with all his assurance restored, leaped to the ground and held out his hand. "I will take you into the presence of one," said he; and she, without a glance at Mr. Van Burnam, whose knee she brushed in passing, leaped to the ground, and turned her face towards Police Headquarters. XXXVII. "TWO WEEKS!" But before she was well in, her countenance changed. "No," said she, "I want to think first. Give me time to think. I dare not say a word without thinking." "Truth needs no consideration. If you wish to denounce this man----" Her look said she did. "Then now is the time." She gave him a sharp glance; the first she had bestowed upon him since leaving Miss Althorpe's. "You are no doctor," she declared. "Are you a police-officer?" "I am a detective." "Oh!" and she hesitated for a moment, shrinking from him with very natural distrust and aversion. "I have been in the toils then without knowing it; no wonder I am caught. But I am no criminal, sir; and if you are the one most in authority here, I beg the privilege of a few words with you before I am put into confinement." "I will take you before the Superintendent," said Mr. Gryce. "But do you wish to go alone? Shall not Mr. Van Burnam accompany you?" "Mr. Van Burnam?" "Is it not he you wish to denounce?"