ree before him.

"He's not going to confess," Mary insisted, with spirit.

But Burke was not in the least impressed. He disregarded her completely,
and spoke mechanically to Garson the formal warning required by the law.

"You are hereby cautioned that anything you say may be used against
you." Then, as the stenographer entered, he went on with lively
interest. "Now, Joe!"

Yet once again, Mary protested, a little wildly.

"Don't speak, Joe! Don't say a word till we can get a lawyer for you!"

The man met her pleading eyes steadily, and shook his head in refusal.

"It's no use, my girl," Burke broke in, harshly. "I told you I'd
get you. I'm going to try you and Garson, and the whole gang for
murder--yes, every one of you.... And you, Gilder," he continued,
lowering on the young man who had defied him so obstinately, "you'll go
to the House of Detention as a material witness." He turned his gaze to
Garson again, and spoke authoritatively: "Come on now, Joe!"

Garson went a step toward the desk, and spoke decisively.

"If I come through, you'll let her go--and him?" he added as an
afterthought, with a nod toward Dick Gilder.

"Oh, Joe, don't!" Mary cried, bitterly. "We'll spend every dollar we can
raise to save you!"

"Now, it's no use," the Inspector complained. "You're only wasting time.
He's said that he did it. That's all there is to it. Now that we're sure
he's our man, he hasn't got a chance in the world."

"Well, how about it?" Garson demanded, savagely. "Do they go clear, if I
come through?"

"We'll get the best lawyers in the country," Mary persisted,
desperately. "We'll save you, Joe--we'll save you!"

Garson regarded the distraught girl with wistful eyes. But there was
no trace of yielding in his voice as he replied, though he spoke very
sorrowfully.

"No, you can't help me," he said, simply. "My time has come, Mary....
And I can save you a lot of trouble."

"He's right there," Burke ejaculated. "We've got him cold. So, what's
the use of dragging you two into it?"

"Then, they go clear?" Garson exclaimed, eagerly. "They ain't even to be
called as witnesses?"

Burke nodded assent.

"You're on!" he agreed.

"Then, here goes!" Garson cried; and he looked expectantly toward the
stenographer.

The strain of it all was sapping the will of the girl, who saw the man
she so greatly esteemed for his service to her and his devotion about
to condemn himself to death. She grew half-hysterical. Her