twitching calm of one to whom the worst has often happened. "Shut
up," repeated Barlow, "and get it fixed in your beans that I'm going to
run you two in."

"Run them in because of this Sherwood affair?" asked Larry.

"Surest thing you know. I've got all the evidence I seed."

"But--" Larry was beginning protestingly, when the doorbell rang again.
Maggie opened the door, and there entered Miss Sherwood, with Hunt just
behind her, and Dick just behind him, and Casey and Gavegan following
these three. All in the room were surprised at this invasion with the
sole exception of Joe Ellison.

"When Mr. Dick spoke over the 'phone about your coming," he said to Miss
Sherwood, "I asked you not to do it."

Barlow was prompt to speak, and the sudden change in his voice would
have been amazing to those who do not know how the little great men
of the Police Department, and other little great men, can alter their
tones. He had recognized Miss Sherwood at once, as would any one else at
all acquainted with influential New York.

"Miss Sherwood, I believe," he said, essaying a slight bow.

"Yes. Though I fear I have not the pleasure of knowing you."

"Deputy Barlow, head of the Detective Bureau of the Police Department,"
he informed her. "Entirely at your service."

"Just what is going on here?" she queried. "I know a part of what
has happened"--she was addressing herself particularly to Maggie and
Larry--"for Dick telephoned me about seven, and I came right into town.
He told me everything he knew--which threw a different light on a lot
of events--and Dick telephoned at about nine that I was coming over. But
something more seems to have happened."

"Miss Sherwood, it's like--" began Barlow.

"Just a second, Chief," Larry interrupted. Larry knew what a sensational
story this would be as it had developed--and he knew in advance just how
it would be seized upon and played up by the newspapers. And Larry did
not want unpleasant publicity for his friends (three in that room were
trying to make a fresh start in life), nor for those who had been his
friends. "Chief, do you want to make an arrest on a charge which will
involve every person in this room in a sensational story? Of course I
know most of us here don't weigh anything with you. But why drag Miss
Sherwood, who is innocent in every way, into a criminal story that will
serve to cheapen her and every decent person involved? Besides, it can
only be a conspiracy charge, and the