n awkward pause, and then the captain turned on
his heel to depart.

"The moment she attempts to leave the house," he growled, "I shall
arrest her. Good night, judge."

"Good night, captain!" cried Annie mockingly.

"I'll see you later," he muttered. "Come on, Maloney."

The door banged to. They were alone.

"What a sweet disposition!" laughed Annie.

Judge Brewster looked sternly at her. Holding up the letter, he said:

"What is the meaning of this? You are not the woman to whom this letter
is addressed?"

"No," stammered Annie, "that is----"

The judge interrupted her. Sternly he asked:

"Is it your intention to go on the witness stand and commit perjury?"

"I don't know. I never thought of that," she faltered.

The judge turned to Alicia.

"Are you going to allow her to do so, Mrs. Jeffries?"

"No, no," cried Alicia quickly, "I never thought of such a thing."

"Then I repeat--is it your intention to perjure yourself?" Annie was
silent, and he went on: "I assume it is, but let me ask you: Do you
expect me, as your counsel, to become _participes criminis_ to this
tissue of lies? Am I expected to build up a false structure for you to
swear to? Am I?"

"I don't know; I haven't thought of it," replied Annie. "If it can be
done, why not? I'm glad you suggested it."

"_I_ suggest it?" exclaimed the lawyer, scandalized.

"Yes," cried Annie with growing exaltation; "it never occurred to me
till you spoke. Everybody says I'm the woman who called on Robert
Underwood that night. Well, that's all right. Let them continue to think
so. What difference does it make so long as Howard is set free?" Going
toward the door, she said: "Good night, Mrs. Jeffries!"

The judge tried to bar her way.

"Don't go," he said; "Captain Clinton's men are waiting outside."

"That doesn't matter!" she cried.

"But you must not go!" exclaimed the lawyer in a tone of command. "I
won't allow it. They'll arrest you! Mrs. Jeffries, you'll please remain
here."

But Annie was already at the door.

"I wouldn't keep Captain Clinton waiting for the world," she cried.
"Good night, Judge Brewster, and God bless you!"

The door slammed, and she was gone.

CHAPTER XIX.

The Jeffries case suddenly entered into an entirely new phase, and once
more was deemed of sufficient public interest to warrant column after
column of spicy comment in the newspapers. The town awoke one morning to
learn that the long-sought-for witness, th