lf when she comes."

"Ha! I thought as much!" exclaimed the banker incredulously.

The captain rose and drew himself up to his full height, a favorite
trick of his when about to assert his authority.

"Well, when she does come!" he exclaimed, "I think you may as well
understand she will be taken to headquarters and held as a witness."

[Illustration: "WHEN THIS MYSTERIOUS WITNESS DOES COME I SHALL PLACE HER
UNDER ARREST."]

"You'll arrest her!" cried the lawyer.

"That's what I said, judge. She a material witness--the most important
one the State has. I don't intend that she shall get away----"

"Arrest her! Oh, judge, don't let him do that!" exclaimed Annie in
dismay.

Judge Brewster grew red in the face. Wrathfully he said:

"She is coming to my house of her own free will. She has trusted to my
honor----"

"Yes--yes!" cried Annie. "She trusts to your honor, judge."

Captain Clinton grinned.

"Honor cuts mighty little ice in this matter. There's no use talking. I
shall place her under arrest."

"I will not permit such a disgraceful proceeding!" cried the lawyer.

"With all due respect, judge," retorted the policeman impudently, "you
won't be consulted. You have declared yourself counsel for the man who
has been indicted for murder--I didn't ask you to take me into your
confidence--you invited me here, treated me to a lecture on psychology,
for which I thank you very much, but I don't feel that I need any
further instruction. If this woman ever does get here, the moment she
leaves the house Maloney has instructions to arrest her, but I guess we
needn't worry. She has probably forgotten her appointment. Some people
are very careless in that respect." Moving toward the door, he added:
"Well, if it's all the same to you, I'll wait downstairs. Good night."

He went out, his hat impudently tilted back on his head, a sneer on his
lips. The banker turned to the judge.

"I told you how it would be," he said scornfully. "A flash in the pan!"

The lawyer looked askance at Annie.

"You are sure she will come?" he asked.

"Yes, I am sure!" With concern she added: "But the disgrace of arrest!
It will kill her! Oh, judge, don't let them arrest her!"

"Tell me who she is!" commanded the lawyer sternly.

It was the first time he had spoken to her harshly and Annie, to her
dismay, thought she detected a note of doubt in his voice. Looking
toward the banker, she replied:

"I can't tell you just now--she'll be h