"Yes--yes," cried Alicia desperately, "I know that. I'm only asking you to wait. I--I ought to have left this morning--that's what I should have done--gone at once. Now it's too late, unless you help me----" "I'll help you all I can," replied the other doggedly, "but I've promised Judge Brewster to clear up this matter to-night." Suddenly there was a commotion at the door. Captain Clinton entered, followed by Detective Sergeant Maloney. Alicia shrank back in alarm. "I thought Judge Brewster was here," said the captain, glancing suspiciously round the room. "I'll send for him," said Annie, touching a bell. "Well, where's your mysterious witness?" demanded the captain sarcastically. He looked curiously at Alicia. "This is Mrs. Howard Jeffries, Senior," said Annie, "my husband's stepmother." The captain made a deferential salute. Bully as he was, he knew how to be courteous when it suited his purpose. He had heard enough of the wealthy banker's aristocratic wife to treat her with respect. "Beg pardon, m'm; I wanted to tell the judge I was going." The servant entered. "Tell Judge Brewster that Captain Clinton is going," said Annie. Alicia, meantime, was once more on the verge of collapse. The long threatened _expose_ was now at hand. In another moment the judge and perhaps her husband would come in, and Annie would hand them the letter which exculpated her husband. There was a moment of terrible suspense. Annie stood aloof, her eyes fixed on the floor. Suddenly, without uttering a word, she drew Underwood's letter from her bosom, and quickly approaching Alicia, placed it unnoticed in her hand. The banker's wife flushed and then turned pale. She understood. Annie would spare her. Her lips parted to protest. Even she was taken back by such an exhibition of unselfishness as this. She began to stammer thanks. "No, no," whispered Annie quickly, "don't thank me; keep it." Captain Clinton turned round with a jeer. Insolently, he said to Annie: "You might as well own up--you've played a trick on us all." "No, Captain Clinton," she replied with quiet dignity; "I told you the simple truth. Naturally you don't believe it." "The simple truth may do for Judge Brewster," grinned the policeman, "but it won't do for me. I never expected this mysterious witness, who was going to prove that Underwood committed suicide, to make an appearance, did I, Maloney. Why not? Because, begging your pardon for doubting your word, there's no such person." "Begging your pardon for disputing your word, captain," she retorted, mimicking him, "there _is_ such a person." "Then where is she?" he demanded angrily. Annie made no answer, but looked for advice to Judge Brewster, who at that instant entered the room. The captain glared at her viciously, and unable to longer contain his wrath, he bellowed: