"Only one charge was entered in the book, that of attempted suicide, the constable's suspicions as to the bundle the woman threw into the river being deemed of too vague a nature to frame an accusation upon. "'Your name?' asked the Inspector of the woman. "At this question she was seized with a sudden trembling; her white face grew whiter; her hands wandered feebly, aimlessly around, and had it not been for the support afforded her by our reporter, who held her up, she might have fallen insensible to the ground. "'Do not give way,' he whispered, 'think of your daughter.'" CHAPTER XVII. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY. "These words strengthened her, and she drew herself up. "'Your name?' again asked Inspector Jealous. "'Mrs. Weston,' she replied, with a certain hesitation, and a sudden color in her face. "'Christian name?' "'Mary,' said the woman, with a similar exhibition of unreadiness and confusion. "'Mary Weston,' said Inspector Jealous. The equivocal signs were not lost upon him, but he made no comment. 'Married?' "'I decline to answer.' "Inspector Jealous merely nodded, and entered her reply in the book. "'Where do you live?' "'I will not tell you. You cannot compel me.' No defiance was expressed in her tone; it was imploring and appealing. "'No,' said Inspector Jealous, 'we cannot compel you.' "Then she was taken away to be searched, the report being that she had no property of any kind upon her person; 'not even a handkerchief,' was the remark. "'That is all,' said Inspector Jealous to our reporter. 'She will be brought up to-morrow morning. If you are going to appear for her, eleven o'clock will be early enough.' "With his consent our reporter then took the woman aside. "'Tell me now what I can do for you,' he asked. "'You will find my address on a card in my purse,' she replied. 'It is a long distance, two or three miles, think----' "'I don't mind that.' "'You need not knock or ring at the street door; the key I gave you will open it. But the passage will be dark when you enter it.' "'I have matches with me. I shall find my way all right.' "'Our rooms are on the first floor. My daughter will be awake. Do not alarm her by knocking loudly on the door.' "'I will tap very gently. Go on.' "'I do not know what you will say to her at first. A stranger--and at this late hour of the night----' "'Do not agitate yourself. I will use my best skill and all my kindness to assure her that I come as a friend.' "'I am sure you will, I am sure you will,' said the woman, taking his hand and kissing it. 'Heaven has been good to me to send me such a friend!' "'Look at it in that light. What shall I say to your daughter after her first surprise is over? Do you not think you had better give me a few lines to her?' "'Can I write them here?' "'I think so; I will ask the Inspector.' "He had no difficulty in obtaining permission, and was supplied with a sheet of note-paper and an envelope. Then the woman wrote: