who paid him that mysterious visit just before his death has
promised to come here and tell us what she knows. Now, if Captain
Clinton can be got to admit the possibility of his being mistaken it
means that your son will be free in a few days."

"Who has given you this information?" demanded the banker skeptically.

"Howard's wife," answered the judge quietly. The banker started and the
lawyer went on: "She knows who the woman is, and has promised to bring
her here to-night with documentary proof of Underwood's suicide."

"You are depending on her?" he sneered.

"Why not?" demanded the judge. "She has more at stake than any of us.
She has worked day and night on this case. It was she who aroused Dr.
Bernstein's interest and persuaded him to collect the evidence against
Captain Clinton."

The banker frowned.

"She is the cause of the whole miserable business," he growled.

The door opened and the butler, entering, handed his master a card.

"Ah!" ejaculated the judge. "Here's our man! Show him up."

When the servant had disappeared Mr. Jeffries turned to his host. With a
show of irritation he said:

"I think you put too much faith in that woman, but you'll find
out--you'll find out."

Judge Brewster smiled.

"That's our object, isn't it, Mr. Jeffries--to find out?" he said
sarcastically.

"What's the name of this mysterious witness?" exclaimed the banker
testily. "If the police haven't been able to find her why should
Howard's wife be able to do so? There was a report that she herself
was----" He paused and added, "Did she tell you who it was?"

"No," said the judge dryly, "she will tell us to-night."

The banker bounded in his seat.

"You'll see," he cried. "Another flash in the pan. I don't like being
mixed up in this matter--it's a disagreeable--most disagreeable."

Dr. Bernstein puffed a thick cloud of smoke into the air and said
quietly:

"Yes, sir; it is disagreeable--but--unfortunately it is life."

Suddenly the door opened and Captain Clinton appeared, followed by his
_fidus Achates_, Detective Sergeant Maloney. Both men were in plain
clothes. The captain's manner was condescendingly polite, the attitude
of a man so sure of his own position that he had little respect for the
opinion of any one else. With an effort at amiability he began:

"Got your message, judge--came as soon as I could. Excuse my bringing
the sergeant with me. Sit over there, Maloney." Half apologetically, he
added: "He