so?" exclaimed Annie, irritated at the man's intolerable
insolence.

Judge Brewster held up a restraining hand.

"Please say nothing," he said with dignity.

"No, I guess I'll let him talk. Go on, captain," she said with a smile,
as if thoroughly enjoying the situation.

Alicia came forward, her face pale, but on it a look of determination,
as if she had quite made up her mind as to what course to pursue. In her
hand was Underwood's letter. Addressing Annie, she said with emotion:

"The truth must come out sooner or later."

Seeing what she was about to do, Annie quickly put out her hand to stop
her. She expected the banker's wife to do her duty, she had insisted
that she must, but now she was ready to do it, she realized what it was
costing her. Her position, her future happiness were at stake. It was
too great a sacrifice. Perhaps there was some other way.

"No, no, not yet," she whispered.

But Alicia brushed her aside and, thrusting the letter into the hand of
the astonished police captain, she said:

"Yes, now! Read that, captain!"

Captain Clinton slowly unfolded the letter. Alicia collapsed in a chair.
Annie stood by helpless, but trying to collect her wits. The judge
watched the scene with amazement, not understanding. The captain read
from the letter:

"'Dear Mrs. Jeffries" He stopped, and glancing at the signature,
exclaimed, "Robert Underwood!" Looking significantly at Annie, he
exclaimed: "'Dear Mrs. Jeffries!' Is that conclusive enough? What did I
tell you?" Continuing to peruse the letter, he read on: "'Shall be found
dead to-morrow--suicide----'" He stopped short and frowned. "What's
this? Why, this is a barefaced forgery!"

Judge Brewster quickly snatched the letter from his hand and, glancing
over it quickly, said:

"Permit me. This belongs to my client."

Captain Clinton's prognathous jaw snapped to with a click, and he
squared his massive shoulders, as he usually did when preparing for
hostilities:

"Now, Mrs. Jeffries," he said sharply, "I'll trouble you to go with me
to headquarters."

Annie and Alicia both stood up. Judge Brewster quickly objected.

"Mrs. Jeffries will not go with you," he said quietly. "She has made no
attempt to leave the State."

"She's wanted at police headquarters," said the captain doggedly.

"She'll be there to-morrow morning."

"She'll be there to-night."

He looked steadily at the judge, and the latter calmly returned his
stare. There followed a