"'Yes.' "'Will you tell them what it was you threw into the river?' "'I cannot tell them. It might injure--it might ruin me.' "'Was it property of your own?' "'It was.' "'To which no person but yourself has a claim?' "'It was my own; no person but myself has a claim to it.' "'The loss or recovery of which would injure no one?' "'No one but myself.' "'Now, consider. You will be taken to the police station and charged.' "'But they will let me go until to-morrow?' "'They will not. If I, a stranger to you, offered bail, it would not be accepted. You will be locked up till the morning.' "'My God!' cried the woman. 'What will become of her--oh, what will become of her?' "'Of her? Then you are not entirely alone in this city?' "'I have a daughter,' she said, in a low, despairing tone. 'She will be distracted if I do not return to her to-night.' "'As I have explained to you, that is out of the question. If you are not unwilling, I will go to her and explain matters.' "'No, no!' cried the woman. 'She must not know the truth! What have I done that this misfortune should fall upon me?' "'I feel deeply for you. If I knew how I could inspire you with confidence in me I should be glad. Look at me and say whether you cannot trust implicitly in me.' "They gazed at each other in silence for many moments. The policemen, standing apart, did not interrupt them, and as they spoke in French, could not have understood if they had heard what was passing. The woman put out her hand timidly. "'I will trust you,' she said. 'It may be that the good Lord has sent me a friend when I most needed one. By the memory of all that is dearest to you, do not betray me!' "'I swear solemnly that I will not.' "The pressure of her hand seemed to instil faith in her. All the earnestness of her soul was expressed in the words she now spoke. "'I give into your charge what is infinitely more precious than life--my honor, and my dear daughter's happiness. May Heaven so deal by you as you deal by me!' "'I am content,' said our reporter. "At this juncture the first policeman thought he had allowed sufficient time for a decision. "'Time presses, sir,' he said. "'Then we had better go to the station,' said our reporter, 'if you persist in your ridiculous charge.' "'There is nothing else for me to do, sir,' said the policeman. "'You have no objection to my walking by the side of this lady, keeping yourself out of hearing. I wish to receive instructions from her.' "'Give me your word, sir, that there will be no attempt at escape.' "'There shall not be.' "'It's all right,' said the second policeman, 'you may take the gentleman's word for a good deal more than that. You won't want me.' "He left them, and our reporter and the woman, preceded by the policeman, who occasionally looked over his shoulder to see that they were following him, walked to the Bow Street Police Station." CHAPTER XVI. AT THE BOW STREET POLICE STATION.