"Now don't pretend to be surprised--you knew I would. And please don't thank me. I hate to be thanked for doing what I want to do. If I didn't want to do it, I wouldn't----" Through her tears she murmured: "I'd like to say 'thank you'." "Well, please don't," he snapped. But she persisted. Tenderly, she said: "May I say you're the dearest, kindest----" Judge Brewster shook his head. "No--no--nothing of the kind." "Most gracious--noble-hearted--courageous," she went on. The judge struck the table another formidable blow. "Mrs. Jeffries!" he exclaimed. She turned away her head to hide her feelings. "Oh, how I'd like to have a good cry," she murmured. "If Howard only knew!" Judge Brewster touched an electric button, and his head clerk entered. "Mr. Jones," said the lawyer quickly, "get a stenographic report of the case of the People against Howard Jeffries, Junior; get the coroner's inquest, the grand jury indictment, and get a copy of the Jeffries confession--get everything--right away!" The clerk looked inquiringly, first at Annie and then at his employer. Then respectfully he asked: "Do we, sir?" "We do," said the lawyer laconically. CHAPTER XVI. "Now, my dear young woman," said Judge Brewster, when the astonished head clerk had withdrawn, "if we are going to set your husband free we must get to work, and you must help me." His visitor looked up eagerly. "I'll do anything in my power," she said quickly. "What can I do?" "Well--first of all," said the lawyer with some hesitation, "I want you to see a certain lady and to be exceedingly nice to her." "Lady?" echoed Annie surprised. "What lady?" "Mrs. Howard Jeffries, Senior," he replied slowly. "Howard's stepmother!" she ejaculated. A clerk entered and handed his employer a card. The lawyer nodded and said in an undertone: "Show her in." Turning round again, he went on: "Yes--Howard's stepmother. She's out there now. She wants to see you. She wishes to be of service to you. Now, you must conciliate her. She may be of great use to us." Annie's face expressed considerable doubt. "Perhaps so," she said, "but the door was slammed in my face when I called to see her." "That's nothing," answered the judge. "She probably knows nothing about it. In any case, please remember that she is my client----" She bowed her head and murmured obediently: "I'll remember." The door of the office opened and Alicia entered. She stopped short on seeing who was there, and an awkward pause followed. Judge Brewster introduced them. "Mrs. Jeffries, may I present Mrs. Howard, Junior?" Alicia bowed stiffly and somewhat haughtily. Annie remained self-possessed and on the defensive. Addressing the banker's wife, the lawyer said: "I told Mrs. Howard that you wished to speak to her." After a pause he added: "I think, perhaps, I'll leave you together. Excuse me."