“I know nothing about babies or children; and if Johnson says he sent toys, he is lying,” said Balder defiantly. “I refuse to make any statement about Maitland or my association with Maitland. I am the victim of police persecution, and I defy you to bring any proof that I have committed a single act in my life—unless it is a crime to live like a gentleman—for which you can imprison me.” “Have you any message for your wife and children?” asked Dick sarcastically, and the sullen features of the man relaxed for a second. “No, Elk will look after them,” he said humorously. The most stringent precautions had been taken to prevent a rescue, and the greatest care was exercised that no communication passed between No. 7 and the outside world. He was charged at Bow Street an hour before the court usually sat. Evidence of arrest was taken, and he was remanded, being removed to Pentonville in a motor-van under armed guard. On the third night of his imprisonment, romance came into the life of the second chief warder of Pentonville Prison. He was comparatively young and single, not without good looks, and lived, with his widowed mother, at Shepherd’s Bush. It was his practice to return home after his day’s duty by omnibus, and he was alighting on this day when a lady, who had got off before him, stumbled and fell. Instantly he was by her side, and had lifted her to her feet. She was young and astonishingly pretty and he helped her gain the pavement. “It was nothing,” she said smilingly, but with a grimace of pain. “It was very foolish of me to come by ’bus; I was visiting an old servant of mine who is ill. Will you call me a taxi, please?” “Certainly, madam,” said the gallant chief warder. The taxi which was passing was beckoned to the kerb. The girl looked round helplessly. “I wish I could see somebody I know. I don’t want to go home alone; I’m so afraid of fainting.” “If you would not object to my escort,” said the man, with all the warm-hearted earnestness which the sight of a woman in distress awakens in the bosom of impressionable man, “I will see you home.” She shot a glance at him which was full of gratitude and accepted his escort, murmuring her regret for the trouble she was giving him. It was a beautiful apartment she occupied. The chief warder thought he had never met so gracious and beautiful a lady before, so appropriately housed, and he was right. He would have attended to her injury, but she felt so much better, and her maid was coming in soon, and would he have a whisky-and-soda, and would he please smoke? She indicated where the cigarettes were to be found, and for an hour the chief warder spoke about himself, and had an enjoyable evening. “I’m very much obliged to you, Mr. Bron,” she said at parting. “I feel I’ve wasted your evening.” “I can assure you,” said Mr. Bron earnestly, “that if this is a waste of time, then time has no use!” She laughed.