"That'sallright，littlelady，"heurgedinavoiceasnearlymellifluousashecouldcontrivewithitsmightyvolume。"That'sallright。Ihavetokeepontellingyou。Nobody'sgoingtohurtyou——notalittlebit。Believeme!Why，nobodyeverwouldwanttohurtyou!"
　　Buthiswell-meantattempttoassuagethestrickencreature'swowasfutile。Thesobbingcontinued。Withitcameaplaintivecry，manytimesrepeated，softly，butverymiserably。
　　"Oh，dear!Oh，dear!"
　　"Isn'ttheresomethingelseyoucantellmeaboutthiswoman？"
　　Burkeinquiredindesperationbeforetheplaintiveoutburst。Hehopedtodistractherfromsuchgriefoverherpredicament。
　　Thegirlgavenoleastheedtothequestion。
　　"Oh，I'msofrightened!"shegasped。
　　"Tut，tut!"theInspectorchided。"Now，Itellyouthere'snothingatallforyoutobeafraidof。"
　　"I'mafraid!"thegirlasserteddismally。"I'mafraidyouwill——putme——inacell!"Hervoicesanktoamurmurhardlyaudibleasshespokethewordssofraughtwithdreadimporttooneofherrefinedsensibilities。
　　"Pooh!"Burkereturned，gallantly。"Why，mydearyounglady，nobodyintheworldcouldthinkofyouandacellatthesametime——no，indeed!"
　　Instantly，thegirlrespondedtothisbaldflattery。Shefairlyradiatedappreciationofthecompliment，assheturnedhereyes，dewywithtears，onthesomewhatflusteredInspector。
　　"Oh，thankyou!"sheexclaimed，withnaiveenjoyment。
　　Forthwith，Burkesetouttomakethemostofthisfavorableopportunity。
　　"Areyousureyou'vetoldmeallyouknowaboutthiswoman？"hequestioned。
　　"Oh，yes!I'veonlyseenhertwoorthreetimes，"camethereadyresponse。Thevoicechangedtosupplication，andagaintheclaspedhandswereextendedbeseechingly。
　　"Oh，please，Commissioner!Won'tyouletmegohome？"
　　TheuseofatitlehigherthanhisownflatteredtheInspector，andhewasmovedtograciousness。Besides，itwasobviousthathispolicenetinthisinstancehadenmeshedonlythemostharmlessofdoves。Hesmiledencouragingly。
　　"Well，now，littlelady，"hesaid，almosttenderly，"ifIletyougonow，willyoupromisetoletmeknowifyouareabletothinkofanythingelseaboutthisTurnerwoman？"
　　"Iwill——indeed，Iwill!"cametheferventassurance。Therewassomethingalmost——quiteprovocativeintheflashofgratitudethatshoneforthfromtheblueeyesofthegirlinthatmomentofhersuperlativerelief。ItmovedBurketoadesireforrehabilitationinherestimation。
　　"Now，yousee，"hewentoninhisheavyvoice，yetverykindly，andwithasortofmassiveplayfulnessinhismanner，"noonehashurtyou——notevenalittlebit，afterall。Now，yourunrighthometoyourmother。"
　　Thegirldidnotneedtobetoldtwice。Ontheinstant，shesprangupjoyously，andstartedtowardthedoor，withafinalravishingsmileforthepleasedofficialatthedesk。
　　"I'llgojustasfastaseverIcan，"themusicalvoicemadeassuranceblithely。
　　"Givemycomplimentstoyourfather，"Burkerequestedcourteously。"AndtellhimI'msorryIfrightenedyou。"
　　Thegirlturnedatthedoor……Afterall，toogreathastemightbeindiscreet。
　　"Iwill，Commissioner，"shepromised，withanarchsmile。"AndI
　　knowpapawillbesogratefultoyouforallyourkindnesstome!"
　　ItwasatthiscriticalmomentthatCassidyenteredfromtheoppositesideoftheoffice。Ashiseyesfellonthegirlatthedooracrossfromhim，hisstolidfacelightedinagrin。And，inthatsameinstantofrecognitionbetweenthetwo，thecolorwentoutofthegirl'sface。Thelittleredlipssnappedtogetherinalineofsupremedisgustagainstthisvicissitudeoffateafterallhermanoeuveringsinthefaceoftheenemy。Shestoodmotionlessinwordlessdismay，impotentbeforethisdisasterforcedonherbyuntowardchance。
　　"Hello，Aggie!"thedetectiveremarked，withasmirk，whiletheInspectorstaredfromonetotheotherwithroundedeyesofwonder，andhisjawdroppedfromthestarksurpriseofthisnewdevelopment。
　　ThegirlreturneddeliberatelytothechairshehadoccupiedthroughtheinterviewwiththeInspector，anddroppedintoitweakly。Herformrestedtherelimplynow，andtheblueeyesstareddisconsolatelyattheblankwallbeforeher。Sherealizedthatfatehaddecreeddefeatforherinthegame。Itwasafteraminuteofsilenceinwhichthetwomensatstaringthatatlastshespokewithasavagewrathagainstthepitintowhichshehadfallenafterherarduousefforts。
　　"Ain'tthatthedamnedestluck!"
　　Foralittleintervalstill，BurketurnedhisglancesfromthegirltoCassidy，andthenbackagaintothegirl，whosatimmobilewithherblueeyessteadfastlyfixedonthewall。Thepoliceofficialwas，intruth，totallybewildered。Herewasinexplicablemystery。Finally，headdressedthedetectivecurtly。
　　"Cassidy，doyouknowthiswoman？"
　　"Sure，Ido!"cametheplacidanswer。Hewentontoexplainwiththedirectbrevityofhiskind。"She'slittleAggieLynch——con'
　　woman，fromBuffalo——twoyearsforblackmail——didhertimeatBurnsing。"
　　Withthissuccinctnarrativeconcerningthegirlwhosatmuteandmotionlessinthechairwithhereyesfastonthewall，Cassidyrelapsedintosilence，duringwhichhestaredratherperplexedlyathischief，whoseemedtobeinthethroesofunusualemotion。
　　Asthedetectiveexpresseditinhisownvernacular:Forthefirsttimeinhisexperience，theInspectorappearedtobeactually"rattled。"
　　Foralittletime，therewassilence，thewhileBurkesatstaringattheavertedfaceofthegirl。Hisexpressionwasthatofonewhohasjustundergoneasoul-stirringshock。Then，presently，hesethisfeaturesgrimly，rosefromhischair，andwalkedtoapositiondirectlyinthefrontofthegirl，whostillrefusedtolookinhisdirection。
　　"Youngwoman——"hebegan，severely。Then，ofasuddenhelaughed。"Youpickedtherightbusiness，allright，allright!"
　　hesaid，withacertainenthusiasm。Helaughedalouduntilhiseyeswereonlyslits，andhisamplepaunchtrembledvehemently。
　　"Well，"hewenton，atlast，"Icertainlyhavetohandittoyou，kid。You'reabeaut'!"
　　Aggiesniffedvehementlyinrebukeofthegrosspartialityoffateinhisbehalf。
　　"JustasIhadhimgoin'!"shesaidbitterly，asifinself-communion，withoutshiftinghergazefromtheblanksurfaceofthewall。
　　Now，however，Burkewasremindedonceagainofhisofficialduties，andheturnedquicklytotheattentiveCassidy。
　　"Haveyougotapictureofthisyoungwoman？"heaskedbrusquely。AndwhenCassidyhadrepliedinthenegative，heagainfacedtheadventuresswithamockinggrin——inwhichmockery，too，wasafairfragmentforhimself，whohadbeensothoroughlywithinhertoilsofblandishment。
　　"I'ddearlylovetohaveaphotographofyou，MissHelenTraversWest，"hesaid。
　　Thespeecharousedthestoliddetectivetoanewinterest。
　　"HelenTraversWest？"herepeated，inquiringly。
　　"Oh，that'sthenameshetoldme，"theInspectorexplained，somewhatshamefacedlybeforethisquestionfromhisinferior。
　　Thenhechuckled，forhehadsenseofhumorsufficienttotriumphevenoverhisowndiscomfitureinthisencounter。"Andshehadmewinging，too!"heconfessed。"Yes，Iadmitit。"Heturnedtothegirladmiringly。"Yousureareimmense，littleone——immense!"Hesmiledsomewhatmoreinhisofficialmannerofmastery。"Andnow，mayIhavethehonorofaskingyoutoaccepttheescortofMr。Cassidytoourgallery。"
　　AggiesprangtoherfeetandregardedtheInspectorwitheyesinwhichwasnownoinnocence，suchashadbeguiledhimsorecentlyfromthoseingenuousorbs。
　　"Oh，canthatstuff!"shecried，crossly。"Let'sgetdowntobusinessonthedot——andnofrillsonit!Keeptocases!"
　　"Nowyou'retalking，"Burkedeclared，withanewappreciationoftheversatilityofthiswoman——whohadnotbeenwastinghertimehitherto，andhadnowishtoloseitnow。
　　"Youcan'tdoanythingtous，"Aggiedeclared，strongly。ThereremainednotraceoftheshrinkingvioletthathadbeenMissHelenTraversWest。Now，sherevealedmerelythebusinesswomanengagedinafightagainstthelaw，whichwasopposeddefinitelytoherpeculiarformofbusiness。
　　"Youcan'tdoanythingtome，andyouknowyoucan't!"shewenton，withanalmostconvincingtranquillityofassertion。"Why，I'llbesprunginsideanhour。"TherecamearippleoflaughterthatremindedtheInspectorofthefashioninwhichhehadbeenovercomebythiswoman'swiles。Andshespokewithacertitudeofconvictionthatwasratherterrifyingtoonewhohadjustfallenunderthestressofherspells。
　　"Why，habeascorpusismylawyer'smiddlename!"
　　"Onthelevel，now，"theInspectordemanded，quiteunmovedbythefinaldeclarations，"whendidyouseeMaryTurnerlast？"
　　Aggieresortedanewtoherpracticesofdeception。Hervoiceheldtheaccentsofunimpeachabletruth，andhereyeslookedunflinchinglyintothoseofherquestionerassheanswered。
　　"Earlythismorning，"shedeclared。"Weslepttogetherlastnight，becauseIhadthewillies。Sheblewthejointabouthalf-pastten。"
　　Burkeshookhishead，moreinsorrowthaninanger。
　　"What'stheuseofyourlyingtome？"heremonstrated。
　　"What，me？"Aggieclamored，witheveryevidenceofbeingdeeplywoundedbythechargeagainstherveracity。"Oh，Iwouldn'tdoanythinglikethat——onthelevel!Whatwouldbetheuse？I
　　couldn'tfoolyou，Commissioner。"
　　Burkestrokedhischinsheepishly，undertheinfluenceofmemoriesofMissHelenTraversWest。
　　"Sohelpme，"Aggiecontinuedwiththeutmostsolemnity，"Maryneverleftthehouseallnight。I'dswearthat'sthetruthonapileofBiblesamilehigh!"
　　"Havetobehigherthanthat，"theInspectorcommented，grimly。
　　"Yousee，AggieLynch，MaryTurnerwasarrestedjustaftermidnight。"Hisvoicedeepenedandcameblustering。"Youngwoman，you'dbettertellallyouknow。"
　　"Idon'tknowathing!"Aggieretorted，sharply。ShefacedtheInspectorfiercely，quiteunabashedbythefactthathervigorousoffertocommitperjuryhadbeenofnoavail。
　　Burke，withaquickmovement，drewthepistolfromhispocketandextendedittowardthegirl。
　　"Howlonghassheownedthisgun？"hesaid，threateningly。
　　Aggieshowednotraceofemotionasherglanceranovertheweapon。
　　"Shedidn'townit，"washerfirmanswer。
　　"Oh，thenit'sGarson's!"Burkeexclaimed。
　　"Idon'tknowwhoseitis，"Aggiereplied，withanairofboredomwellcalculatedtodeceive。"Ineverlaideyesonittillnow。"
　　TheInspector'stoneabruptlytookonasombercoloring，withanunderlyingmenace。
　　"EnglishEddiewaskilledwiththisgunlastnight，"hesaid。
　　"Now，whodidit？"Hisbroadfacewassinister。"Comeon，now!
　　Whodidit？"
　　Aggiebecameflippant，seeminglyunimpressedbytheInspector'ssavageness。
　　"HowshouldIknow？"shedrawled。"WhatdoyouthinkIam——afortune-teller？"
　　"You'dbettercomethrough，"Burkereiterated。Thenhismannerchangedtowheedling。"Ifyou'rethewisekidIthinkyouare，youwill。"
　　Aggiewaxedverypetulantoverthisinsistence。
　　"Itellyou，Idon'tknowanything!Say，whatareyoutryingtohandme，anyway？"
　　Burkescowledonthegirlportentously，andshookhishead。
　　"Now，itwon'tdo，Itellyou，AggieLynch。I'mwise。Youlistentome。"Oncemorehismannerturnedtothecajoling。
　　"Youtellmewhatyouknow，andI'llseeyoumakeacleanget-away，andI'llslipyouanicelittlepieceofmoney，too。"
　　Thegirl'sfacechangedwithstartlingswiftness。SheregardedtheInspectorshrewdly，acraftyglintinhereyes。
　　"Letmegetthisstraight，"shesaid。"IfItellyouwhatIknowaboutMaryTurnerandJoeGarson，Igetaway？"
　　"Clean!"Burkeejaculated，eagerly。
　　"Andyou'llslipmesomecoin，too？"
　　"That'sit!"camethehastyassurance。"Now，whatdoyousay？"
　　Thesmallfiguregrewtense。Thedelicate，childishfacewassuddenlydistortedwithrage，arageblackandvenomous。Theblueeyeswereblazing。Thevoicecamethinandpiercing。
　　"Isay，you'reagreatbigstiff!WhatdoyouthinkIam？"shestormedatthediscomfitedInspector，whileCassidylookedoninsomeenjoymentatbeholdinghissuperiorbeingworsted。Aggiewheeledonthedetective。"Say，takemeoutofhere，"shecriedinavoicesurchargedwithdisgust。"I'dratherbeinthecoolerthanherewithhim!"
　　NowBurke'stonewasdangerous。
　　"You'lltell，"hegrowled，"oryou'llgouptheriverforastretch。"
　　"Idon'tknowanything，"thegirlretorted，spiritedlyAnd，ifI
　　did，Iwouldn'ttell——notinamillionyears!"ShethrustherheadforwardchallenginglyasshefacedtheInspector，andherexpressionwasresolute。"Now，then，"sheended，"sendmeup——ifyoucan!"
　　"Takeheraway，"Burkesnappedtothedetective。
　　AggiewenttowardCassidywithoutanysignofreluctance。
　　"Yes，do，please!"sheexclaimedwithasneer。"Anddoitinahurry。Beingintheroomwithhimmakesmesick!SheturnedtostareattheInspectorwitheyesthatwereveryclearandveryhard。Inthismoment，therewasnothingchildishintheirgaze。
　　"ThoughtI'dsqueal，didyou？"shesaid，evenly。Yes，I
　　will"——theredlipsbenttoasmileofsupremescorn——"likehell!"
　　CHAPTERXXII。THETRAPTHATFAILED。
　　Burke，despitehisqualityofheaviness，wasblestwithakeensenseofhumor，againstwhichattimeshisprofessionallaborsstrovemutinously。Inthepresentinstance，hehadfailedutterlytoobtainanyinformationofvaluefromthegirlwhomhehadjustbeenexamining。Onthecontrary，hehadbeenbefooledoutrageouslybyafemalecriminal，inamannertowounddeeplyhisprofessionalpride。Nevertheless，heborenogrudgeagainsttheadventuress。Hissenseoftheabsurdservedhimwell，andhetookalivelyenjoymentinrecallingthemethodbywhichherplausiblewileshadbeguiledhim。Hegaveherarealrespectfortheadroitnesswithwhichshehaddeceivedhim——andhewasnotonetobereadilydeceived。So，now，asthescornfulmaidenwentoutofthedoorundertheescortofCassidy，Burkebowedgallantlytoherlitheback，andblewakissfromhisthickfingertips，inmockingreverenceforherasanartistinherway。
　　Then，heseatedhimself，pressedthedeskcall-button，and，whenhehadlearnedthatEdwardGilderwasarrived，orderedthatthemagnateandtheDistrictAttorneybeadmitted，andthattheson，also，besentupfromhiscell。
　　"It'sabadbusiness，sir，"Burkesaid，withheartysympathy，totheshakenfather，aftertheformalgreetingsthatfollowedtheentranceofthetwomen。"It'saverybadbusiness。"
　　"Whatdoeshesay？"Gilderquestioned。Therewassomethingpitifulinthedistressofthisman，usuallysostrongandsocertainofhiscourse。Now，hewashesitantinhismovements，andhismellowvoicecamemoreweaklythanitswont。TherewasapatheticpleadinginthedulledeyeswithwhichheregardedtheInspector。
　　"Nothing!"Burkeanswered。"That'swhyIsentforyou。I
　　supposeMr。Demaresthasmadethesituationplaintoyou。"
　　Gildernodded，hisfacemiserable。
　　"Yes，"hehasexplainedittome，"hesaidinalifelessvoice。
　　"It'saterriblepositionformyboy。Butyou'llreleasehimatonce，won'tyou？"Thoughhestrovetoputconfidenceintohiswords，hispainfuldoubtwasmanifest。
　　"Ican't，"Burkereplied，reluctantly，butbluntly。"Yououghtnottoexpectit，Mr。Gilder。"
　　"But，"cametheprotest，deliveredwithmuchmorespirit，"youknowverywellthathedidn'tdoit!"
　　Burkeshookhisheademphaticallyindenialoftheallegation。
　　"Idon'tknowanythingaboutit——yet，"hecontradicted。
　　Thefaceofthemagnatewentwhitewithfear。
　　"Inspector，"hecriedbrokenly，"you——don'tmean——"
　　Burkeansweredwithentirecandor。
　　"Imean，Mr。Gilder，thatyou'vegottomakehimtalk。That'swhatIwantyoutodo，foralloursakes。Willyou？"
　　"I'lldomybest，"theunhappymanreplied，forlornly。
　　Aminutelater，Dick，inchargeofanofficer，wasbroughtintotheroom。Hewaspale，alittledisheveledfromhishoursinacell。Hestillworehiseveningclothesofthenightbefore。
　　Hisfaceshowedclearlythedeepenedlines，gravenbythesufferingtowhichhehadbeensubjected，buttherewasnoweaknessinhisexpression。Instead，anewforcethatloveandsorrowhadbroughtoutinhischaracterwasplainlyvisible。Thestrengthofhisnaturewasspringingtofulllifeunderthestimulusoftheordealthroughwhichhewaspassing。
　　Thefatherwentforwardquickly，andcaughtDick'shandsinamightygrip。
　　"Myboy!"hemurmured，huskily。Then，hemadeagreateffort，andcontrolledhisemotiontosomeextent。"TheInspectortellsme，"hewenton，"thatyou'verefusedtotalk——toanswerhisquestions。"
　　Dick，too，wincedunderthepainofthismeetingwithhisfatherinasituationsosinister。Buthewas，tosomedegree，apatheticfromover-muchmisery。Now，inreplytohisfather'swords，heonlynoddedaquietassent。
　　"Thatwasn'twiseunderthecircumstances，"thefatherremonstratedhurriedly。"However，now，DemarestandIareheretoprotectyourinterests，sothatyoucantalkfreely。"Hewentonwithalittlecatchofanxietyinhisvoice。"Now，Dick，tellus!Whokilledthatman？Wemustknow。Tellme。"
　　Burkebrokeinimpatiently，withhisblusteringfashionofaddress。
　　"Wheredidyouget——？"
　　ButDemarestraisedarestraininghand。
　　"Wait，please!"headmonishedtheInspector。"Youwaitabit。"
　　Hewentasteptowardtheyoungman。"Givetheboyachance，"hesaid，andhisvoicewasveryfriendlyashewentonspeaking。
　　"Dick，Idon'twanttofrightenyou，butyourpositionisreallyadangerousone。Youronlychanceistospeakwithperfectfrankness。Ipledgeyoumyword，I'mtellingthetruth，Dick。"
　　Therewasprofoundconcerninthelawyer'sthinface，andhisvoice，trainedtooratoricalarts，wasemotionallypersuasive。
　　"Dick，myboy，IwantyoutoforgetthatI'mtheDistrictAttorney，andrememberonlythatI'manoldfriendofyours，andofyourfather's，whoistryingveryhardtohelpyou。Surely，youcantrustme。Now，Dick，tellme:WhoshotGriggs？"
　　Therecamealongpause。Burke'sfacewasavidwithdesireforknowledge，withthekeenexpectancyofthehunteronthetrail，whichwascharacteristicofhiminhisprofessionalwork。TheDistrictAttorneyhimselfwaslessvitallyeager，buthiscuriosity，aswellashiswishtoescapefromanembarrassingsituation，showedopenlyonhisalertcountenance。Theheavyfeaturesofthefatherweretwistingalittleinnervousspasms，fortohimthishourwasallanguish，sincehisonlysonwasinsuchhorribleplight。Dickaloneseemedalmosttranquil，thoughtheoutwardcalmwasbeliedbytheflickeringofhiseyelidsandtheoccasionalinvoluntarymovementofthelips。Finallyhespoke，inacold，wearyvoice。
　　"IshotGriggs，"hesaid。
　　Demarestrealizedsubtlythathispleahadfailed，buthemadearefforttoresisttheimpression，totaketheadmissionatitsfacevalue。
　　"Why？"hedemanded。
　　Dick'sanswercameinthelikeunmeaningtones，andaswearily。
　　"BecauseIthoughthewasaburglar。"
　　TheDistrictAttorneywasbeginningtofeelhisprofessionalpridearousedagainstthisyoungmanwhosoflagrantlyrepelledhisattemptstolearnthetruthconcerningthecrimethathadbeencommitted。Heresortedtofamiliarartificesforentanglingonequestioned。
　　"Oh，Isee!"hesaid，inatoneofconviction。"Now，let'sgobackalittle。Burkesaysyoutoldhimlastnightthatyouhadpersuadedyourwifetocomeovertothehouse，andjoinyouthere。Isthatright？"
　　"Yes。"Themonosyllablewasutteredindifferently。"And，whilethetwoofyouweretalking，"Demarestcontinuedinamatter-of-factmanner。Hedidnotconcludethesentence，butaskedinstead:"Now，tellme，Dick，justwhatdidhappen，won'tyou？"
　　Therewasnoreply；and，afteralittleinterval，thelawyerresumedhisquestioning。
　　"Didthisburglarcomeintotheroom？"
　　Dicknoddedanassent。
　　"Andheattackedyou？"
　　Therecameanothernodofaffirmation。
　　"Andtherewasastruggle？"
　　"Yes，"Dicksaid，andnowtherewasresolutioninhisanswer。
　　"Andyoushothim？"Demarestasked，smoothly。
　　"Yes，"theyoungmansaidagain。
　　"Then，"thelawyercounteredontheinstant，"wheredidyougettherevolver？"
　　Dickstartedtoanswerwithoutthought:
　　"Why，Igrabbedit——"Then，thesignificanceofthiscrashedonhisconsciousness，andhecheckedthewordstremblingonhislips。Hiseyes，whichhadbeendowncast，liftedandglaredonthequestioner。"So，"hesaidwithswifthostilityinhisvoice，"so，you'retryingtotrapme，too!"Heshruggedhisshouldersinawayhehadlearnedabroad。"You!Andyoutalkoffriendship。
　　Iwantnoneofsuchfriendship。"
　　Demarest，greatlydisconcerted，wasskilled，nevertheless，indissembling，andhehidhischagrinperfectly。Therewasonlyreproachinhisvoiceasheansweredstoutly:
　　"Iamyourfriend，Dick。"
　　ButBurkewouldbenolongerrestrained。HehadlistenedwithincreasingimpatiencetothediplomaticeffortsoftheDistrictAttorney，whichhadendedintotalrout。Now，heinsistedonemployinghisownmoredrastic，and，ashebelieved，moreefficacious，methods。Hestoodup，andspokeinhismostthreateningmanner。
　　"Youdon'twanttotakeusforfools，youngman，"hesaid，andhisbigtonesrumbledharshlythroughtheroom。"IfyoushotGriggsinmistakeforaburglar，whydidyoutrytohidethefact？Whydidyoupretendtomethatyouandyourwifewerealoneintheroom——whenyouhad*THATtherewithyou，eh？Whydidn'tyoucallforhelp？Whydidn'tyoucallforthepolice，asanyhonestmanwouldnaturallyundersuchcircumstances？"
　　Thearraignmentwasseverelylogical。Dickshowedhisappreciationofthejusticeofitinthewhiteningofhisface，nordidhetrytoanswerthechargesthushurledathim。
　　Thefather，too，appreciatedthegravityofthesituation。Hisfacewasworking，asiftowardtears。
　　"We'retryingtosaveyou，"hepleaded，tremulously。
　　Burkepersistedinhisvehementsystemofattack。Now，heagainbroughtouttheweaponthathaddoneEddieGriggstodeath。
　　"Where'dyougetthisgun？"heshouted。
　　Dickheldhistranquilpose。
　　"Iwon'ttalkanymore，"heanswered，simply。"Imustseemywifefirst。"Hisvoicebecamemoreaggressive。"Iwanttoknowwhatyou'vedonetoher。"
　　Burkeseizedonthisopening。
　　"DidshekillGriggs？"hequestioned，roughly。
　　Foronce，Dickwasstartledoutofhiscalm。
　　"No，no!"hecried，desperately。
　　Burkefolloweduphisadvantage。
　　"Then，whodid？"hedemanded，sharply。"Whodid？"
　　Now，however，theyoungmanhadregainedhisself-control。Heansweredveryquietly，butwithanairoffinality。
　　"Iwon'tsayanymoreuntilI'vetalkedwithalawyerwhomIcantrust。"HeshotavindictiveglancetowardDemarest。
　　Thefatherintervenedwithapiteouseagerness。
　　"Dick，ifyouknowwhokilledthisman，youmustspeaktoprotectyourself。"
　　Burke'svoicecameviciously。
　　"Thegunwasfoundonyou。Don'tforgetthat。"
　　"Youdon'tseemtorealizethepositionyou'rein，"thefatherinsisted，despairingly。"Thinkofme，Dick，myboy。Ifyouwon'tspeakforyourownsake，doitformine。"
　　Thefaceoftheyoungmansoftenedashemethisfather'sbeseechingeyes。
　　"I'msorry，Dad，"hesaid，verygently。"ButI——well，Ican't!"
　　Again，Burkeinterposed。Hisbusybrainwasworkingoutanewschemeforsolvingthisirritatingproblem。
　　"I'mgoingtogivehimalittlemoretimetothinkthingsover，"
　　hesaid，curtly。Hewentbacktohischair。"Perhapshe'llgettounderstandtheimportanceofwhatwe'vebeensayingprettysoon。"HescowledatDick。"Now，youngman，"hewentonbriskly，"youwanttodoalotofquickthinking，andalotofhonestthinking，and，whenyou'rereadytotellthetruth，letmeknow。"
　　Hepressedthebuttononhisdesk，and，asthedoormanappeared，addressedthatfunctionary。
　　"Dan，haveoneofthementakehimback。Youwaitoutside。"
　　Dick，however，didnotmove。Hisvoicecamewithanoteofdetermination。
　　"Iwanttoknowaboutmywife。Whereisshe？"
　　Burkedisregardedthequestionascompletelyasifithadnotbeenuttered，andwentonspeakingtothedoormanwithasuggestioninhiswordsthatwaseffective。
　　"He'snottospeaktoanyone，youunderstand。"Thenhecondescendedtogivehisattentiontotheprisoner。"You'llknowallaboutyourwife，youngman，whenyoumakeupyourmindtotellmethetruth。"
　　DickgavenoheedtotheInspector'sstatement。Hiseyeswerefixedonhisfather，andtherewasagreattendernessintheirdepths。Andhespokeverysoftly:
　　"Dad，I'msorry!"
　　Thefather'sgazemettheson's，andtheeyesofthetwolocked。
　　Therewasnootherwordspoken。Dickturned，andfollowedhiscustodianoutoftheofficeinsilence。Evenaftertheshuttingofthedoorbehindtheprisoner，thepauseenduredforsomemoments。
　　Then，atlast，Burkespoketothemagnate。
　　"Yousee，Mr。Gilder，whatwe'reupagainst。Ican'tlethimgo——yet!"
　　Thefatherstrodeacrosstheroominasuddenaccessofrage。
　　"He'sthinkingofthatwoman，"hecriedout，inaloudvoice。
　　"He'stryingtoshieldher。"
　　"He'saloyalkid，atthat，"Burkecommented，withagrudgingadmiration。"I'llsaythatmuchforhim。"Hisexpressiongrewmorose，asagainhepressedthebuttononhisdesk。"Andnow，"
　　hevouchsafed，"I'llshowyouthedifference。"Then，asthedoormanreappeared，hegavehisorder:"Dan，havetheTurnerwomanbroughtup。"Heregardedthetwomenwithhisbristlingbrowspulleddowninascowl。"I'llhavetotryadifferentgamewithher，"hesaid，thoughtfully。"Shesureisonecleverlittledame。But，ifshedidn'tdoitherself，sheknowswhodid，allright。"Again，Burke'svoicetookonitssavagenote。"Andsomeone'sgottopayforkillingGriggs。Idon'thavetoexplainwhytoMr。Demarest，buttoyou，Mr。Gilder。Yousee，it'sthisway:
　　Theveryfoundationsoftheworkdonebythisdepartmentrestontheuseofcrooks，whoarewillingtobetraytheirpalsforcoin。
　　Itoldyouabitaboutitlastnight。Now，youunderstand，ifGriggs'smurdergoesunpunished，it'llputthefearofGodintotheheartofeverystool-pigeonweemploy。Andthenwhere'dwebe？Tellmethat!"
　　TheInspectornextcalledhisstenographer，andgaveexplicitdirections。Atthebackoftheroom，behindthedesk，werethreelargewindows，whichopenedonacorridor，andacrossthiswasatierofcells。Thestenographerwastotakehisseatinthiscorridor，justoutsideoneofthewindows。Overthewindows，theshadesweredrawn，sothathewouldremaininvisibletoanyonewithintheoffice，whileyeteasilyabletooverheareverywordspokenintheroom。
　　Whenhehadcompletedhisinstructionstothestenographer，BurketurnedtoGilderandDemarest。
　　"Now，thistime，"hesaidenergetically，"I'llbetheonetodothetalking。Andgetthis:Whateveryouhearmesay，don'tyoubesurprised。Remember，we'redealingwithcrooks，and，whenyou'redealingwithcrooks，youhavetousecrookedways。"
　　Therewasabriefperiodofsilence。Then，thedooropened，andMaryTurnerenteredtheoffice。Shewalkedslowlyforward，movingwiththesmoothstrengthandgracethatweretheproofofperfecthealthandofperfectpoise，thecorrelationofmindandbodyinexactness。Herform，clearlyrevealedbytheclingingeveningdress，wasacurvinggroupofgraces。Thebeautyofherfacewasenhanced，ratherthanlessened，bythepallorofit，forthefadingoftherichercolorsgavetothefinefeaturesanexpressionmorespiritual，madeplainertheunderlyingqualitiesthatheraccustomedbrilliancemighthalf-conceal。Shepaidabsolutelynoattentiontotheothertwointheroom，butwentstraighttothedesk，andtherehalted，gazingwithhersoftlypenetranteyesofdeepestvioletintothefaceoftheInspector。
　　Underthatintentscrutiny，Burkefeltachallenge，sethimselftomatchcraftwithcraft。Hewasnotlikelytoundervaluethewitsofonewhohadsooftenfloutedhim，who，evennow，hadplacedhiminapreposterouspredicamentbythisentanglementoverthedeathofaspy。Buthewasresolvedtousehisbestskilltodisarmhersophistication。Hislargevoicewasmodulatedtokindlinessashespokeinacasualmanner。
　　"Ijustsentforyoutotellyouthatyou'refree。"
　　Maryregardedthespeakerwithanimpenetrableexpression。Hertonesasshespokewerequiteasmatter-of-factashisownhadbeen。Inthemwasnowonder，noexultation。
　　"Then，Icango，"shesaid，simply。
　　"Sure，youcango，"Burkereplied，amiably。
　　Withoutanydelay，yetwithoutanyhaste，MaryglancedtowardGilderandDemarest，whowerewatchingthesceneclosely。Hereyesweresomehowappraising，butaltogetherindifferent。Then，shewenttowardtheouterdooroftheoffice，stillwiththatalmostlackadaisicalair。
　　Burkewaitedratherimpatientlyuntilshehadnearlyreachedthedoorbeforeheshothisbolt，withafineassumptionofcarelessnessintheannouncement。
　　"Garsonhasconfessed!"
　　Mary，whoreadilyenoughhadalreadyguessedtheessentialhypocrisyofallthisplay，turnedandconfrontedtheInspector，andansweredwithouttheleasttraceoffear，butwiththefirmnessofknowledge:
　　"Oh，no，hehasn't!"
　　HerattitudeexasperatedBurke。Hisvoiceroaredoutwrathfully。
　　"What'sthereasonhehasn't？"
　　Themusicinthetonesoftheanswerwasavocalrebuke。
　　"Becausehedidn'tdoit。"Shestatedthefactasonewithoutahintofanycontradictorypossibility。
　　"Well，hesayshedidit!"Burkevociferated，stillmoreloudly。
　　Mary，inherturn，resortedtoabitoffinesse，inordertolearnwhetherornotGarsonhadbeenarrested。Shespokewithatraceofindignation。
　　"Buthowcouldhehavedoneit，whenhewent——"shebegan。
　　TheInspectorfellavictimtohersuperiorcraft。Hisquestioncameeagerly。
　　"Wheredidhego？"
　　Marysmiledforthefirsttimesinceshehadbeenintheroom，andinthatsmiletheInspectorrealizedhisdefeatinthefirstpassageofthisgameofintriguebetweenthem。
　　"Yououghttoknow，"shesaid，sedately，"sinceyouhavearrestedhim，andhehasconfessed。"
　　Demarestputupahandtoconcealhissmileoverthepoliceofficial'schagrin。Gilder，staringalwaysatthiswomanwhohadcometobehisNemesis，wasmarvelingoverthebeautyandverveoftheonesohatinghimastoplantheruinofhislifeandhisson's。
　　Burkewasfranticoverbeingworstedthus。Togainadiversion，herevertedtohisfamiliarbullyingtactics。Hisquestionburstraspingly。Itwasaquestionthathadcometobeconstantwithinhisbrainduringthelastfewhours，onethatobsessedhim，thatfrettedhimsorely，almostbeyondendurance。
　　"WhoshotGriggs？"heshouted。
　　Maryrestedsereneinthepresenceofthisviolence。Heranswercappedtheclimaxoftheofficer'sexasperation。
　　"Myhusbandshotaburglar，"shesaid，languidly。Andthenherinsolencereacheditsculminationinaqueryofherown:"WashisnameGriggs？"Itwasdonewithsplendidart，withasplendidmasteryofherownemotions，for，evenasshespokethewords，shewasrememberingthoseshudderingsecondswhenshehadstood，onlyafewhoursago，gazingdownattheinertbulkthathadbeenaman。
　　Burkebetookhimselftoanotherformofattack。
　　"Oh，youknowbetterthanthat，"hedeclared，truculently。"Yousee，we'vetracedtheMaximsilencer。GarsonhimselfboughtitupinHartford。"
　　Forthefirsttime，Marywascaughtoffherguard。
　　"Buthetoldme——"shebegan，thenbecameawareofherindiscretion，andcheckedherself。
　　Burkeseizedonherlapsewithavidity。
　　"Whatdidhetellyou？"hequestioned，eagerly。
　　Now，Maryhadregainedherself-command，andshespokecalmly。
　　"Hetoldme，"shesaid，withoutaparticleofhesitation，"thathehadneverseenone。Surely，ifhehadhadanythingofthesort，hewouldhaveshownittomethen。"
　　"Probablyhedid，too!"Burkerejoined，withouttheleastsuspicionthathissurlyutterancetouchedthetruthexactly。
　　"Now，seehere，"hewenton，tryingtomakehisvoiceaffable，thoughwithsmallsuccess，forhewasexcessivelyirritatedbytheserepeatedfailures；"Icanmakeitaloteasierforyouifyou'lltalk。Comeon，now!WhokilledGriggs？"
　　Marycastoffpretensefinally，andspokemalignantly。
　　"That'sforyoutofindout，"shesaid，sneering。
　　Burkepressedthebuttononthedesk，and，whenthedoormanappeared，orderedthattheprisonerbereturnedtohercell。
　　ButMarystoodrebellious，andspokewitharesumptionofhercynicalscorn。
　　"Isuppose，"shesaid，withaglanceofcontempttowardDemarest，"thatit'suselessformetoclaimmyconstitutionalrights，anddemandtoseealawyer？"
　　Burke，too，hadcastoffpretenseatlast。
　　"Yes，"heagreed，withanevilsmirk，"you'veguesseditright，thefirsttime。"
　　MaryspoketotheDistrictAttorney。
　　"Ibelieve，"shesaid，withanewdignityofbearing，"thatsuchismyconstitutionalright，isitnot，Mr。Demarest？"
　　Thelawyersoughtnoevasionoftheissue。Forthatmatter，hewascomingtohaveanincreasingrespect，evenadmiration，forthisyoungwoman，whoenduredinsultandignominywithaspiritsosturdy，andmetstrategemwithotherstrategembetterdevised。
　　So，now，hemadehisanswerwithfrankhonesty。
　　"Itisyourconstitutionalright，MissTurner。"
　　MaryturnedhercleareyesontheInspector，andawaitedfromthatofficialareplythatwasnotforthcoming。Truthtotell，Burkewasfarfromcomfortableunderthatsurvey。
　　"Well，Inspector？"sheinquired，atlast。
　　Burketookrefuge，ashiswontwaswhentoohardpressed，inamightybellow。
　　"TheConstitutiondon'tgohere!"Itwasthebesthecoulddo，anditshamedhim，forheknewitsweakness。Again，wrathsurgedinhim，anditsurgedhigh。HewelcomedtheadventofCassidy，whocamehurryinginwithagrinofsatisfactiononhisstolidface。
　　"Say，Chief，"thedetectivesaidwithanimation，inresponsetoBurke'sglanceofinquiry，"we'vegotGarson。"
　　Mary'sfacefell，thoughthechangeofexpressionwasalmostimperceptible。OnlyDemarest，astudentofmuchexperience，observedthefleetingdisplayofrepressedemotion。WhentheInspectortookthoughttolookather，shewasasimpassiveasbefore。Yet，hewasmindedtotryanotherruseinhisdesiretodefeattheintelligenceofthiswoman。Tothisend，heaskedGilderandtheDistrictAttorneytowithdraw，whileheshouldhaveaprivateconversationwiththeprisoner。Asshelistenedtohisrequest，Marysmiledagaininsphinx-likefashion，andtherewasstillonherlipsanexpressionthatcausedtheofficialapangofdoubt，when，atlast，thetwowereleftalonetogether，andhedartedasurreptitiousglancetowardher。Nevertheless，hepressedonhisdevicevaliantly。
　　"Now，"hesaid，withamarkedsofteningofmanner，"I'mgoingtobeyourfriend。"
　　"Areyou？"Mary'stonewasnon-committal。
　　"Yes，"Burkedeclared，heartily。"AndImeanit!GiveupthetruthaboutyoungGilder。IknowheshotGriggs，ofcourse。ButI'mnottakinganystockinthatburglarstory——notalittlebit!
　　Nocourtwould，either。Whatwasreallybackofthekilling？"
　　Burke'seyesnarrowedcunningly。"WashejealousofGriggs？
　　Well，that'swhathemightdothen。He'salwaysbeenaworthlessyoungcub。Arottendeallikethiswouldbeabouthisgait，I
　　guess……Tellme，now:WhydidheshootEddieGriggs？"
　　Therewascoarsenessa-plentyintheInspector'spretense，butitpossessedasolitaryfundamentalvirtue:itplayedontheheartofthewomanwhomhequestioned，arousedittowrathindefenseofhermate。Inasecond，allpoisefledfromthisgirlwhosesoulwasblossomingintheblestrealizationthatamanlovedherpurely，unselfishly。Herwordscamestumblinglyintheirhaste。
　　Hereyeswereneartoblackintheiranger。
　　"Hedidn'tkillhim!Hedidn'tkillhim!"shefairlyhissed。
　　"Why，he'sthemostwonderfulmanintheworld。Youshan'thurthim!Nobodyshallhurthim!I'llfighttotheendofmylifeforDickGilder!"
　　Burkewasbeamingjoyously。Atlast——alonglast!——hisfinessehadwonthevictoryoverthiswoman'ssubtleties。
　　"Well，that'sjustwhatIthought，"hesaid，withsmugcontent。
　　"Andnow，then，whodidshootGriggs？We'vegoteveryoneofthegang。They'reallcrooks。Seehere，"hewenton，withasuddenchangetotherespectfulinhismanner，"whydon'tyoustartfresh？I'llgiveyoueverychanceintheworld。I'mdeadonthelevelwithyouthistime。"
　　Buthewastoolate。Bynow，Maryhadherselfwellinhandagain，vastlyashamedoftheshortperiodofself-betrayalcausedbytheofficial'sartificeagainstherheart。AsshelistenedtotheInspector'sassurances，themockingexpressionofherfacewasnotencouragingtothatastuteindividual，butheperseveredmanfully。
　　"Justyouwait，"hewentoncheerfully，"andI'llprovetoyouthatI'monthelevelaboutthis，thatI'mreallyyourfriend……
　　Therewasalettercameforyoutoyourapartment。Mymenbroughtitdowntome。I'vereadit。Hereitis。I'llreadittoyou!"
　　Hepickedupanenvelope，whichhadbeenlyingonthedesk，anddrewoutthesinglesheetofpaperitcontained。Marywatchedhim，wonderingmuchmorethanherexpressionrevealedoverthisnewdevelopment。Then，asshelistened，quickinteresttouchedherfeaturestoanewlife。Inhereyesleapedemotionstomakeormaralife。
　　Thiswastheletter:
　　"Ican'tgowithouttellingyouhowsorryIam。Therewon'tneverbeatimethatIwon'trememberitwasmegotyousentup，thatyoudidtimeinmyplace。Iain'tgoingtoforgivemyselfever，andIswearI'mgoingstraightalways。
　　"Yourtruefriend，"HELEN
　　MORRIS。"
　　Foronce，Burkeshowedacertaindelicacy。Whenhehadfinishedthereading，hesaidnothingforalongminute——only，satwithhiscunningeyesonthefaceofthewomanwhowasimmobiletherebeforehim。And，ashelookedonherinherslendereleganceofformandgentlewomanlylovelinessofface，alovelinessintelligentandrefinedbeyondthatofmostwomen，hefeltborneinonhisconsciousnessthefactthatherewasonetoberespected。Hefoughtagainsttheimpression。Itwastohimpreposterous，forshewasoneofthatunderworldagainstwhichhewasruthlesslyatwar。Yet，hecouldnotaltogetherovercomehisinstincttowardahalf-reverentadmiration……And，astheletterproved，shehadbeeninnocentattheoutset。Shehadbeenthevictimofamistakenjustice，madeoutcastbythelawshehadneverwronged……Hismoodofrespectwasinevitable，sincehehadsomesensibilities，thoughtheywerecoarsened，andtheysensedvaguelythemaelstromofemotionsthatnowswirledinthegirl'sbreast。
　　ToMaryTurner，thiswasthewonderfulhour。Init，thevindicationofherinnocencewasmadecomplete。ThestorywasthererecordedinblackandwhiteonthepagewrittenbyHelenMorris。Itmatteredlittle——orinfinitelymuch!——thatitcametoolate。Shehadgainedherevilplaceintheworld，wasanotoriouswomaninfact，wasevennowaprisonerundersuspicionofmurder。Nevertheless，shefeltathrillofecstasyoverthiswrittendocument——whichithadneveroccurredtohertowrestfromthegirlatthetimeoftheoralconfession。Nowthatithadbeenproffered，thevalueofitloomedabovealmostallthingselseintheworld。Itproclaimedundeniablythewrongunderwhichshehadsuffered。Shewasnotthethiefthecourthadadjudgedher。Now，there'snobodyherebutjustyouandme。Comeon，now——putmewise!"
　　Marywasagaintheresourcefulwomanwhowasgladtopitherbrainagainstthecontrivingofthosewhofoughther。So，atthismoment，sheseemedplianttothewillofthemanwhourgedherthuscunningly。HerquickglancearoundtheofficewasofasorttodeludetheInspectorintoabeliefthatshewasyieldingtohislure。
　　"Areyousurenoonewilleverknow？"sheasked，timorously。
　　"Nobodybutyouandme，"Burkedeclared，allagogwithanticipationofvictoryatlast。"Igiveyoumyword!"
　　MarymetthegazeoftheInspectorfully。Inthesameinstant，sheflashedonhimasmilethatwasdazzling，thesmileofawomantriumphantinhermasteryofthesituation。Herfacewasradiant，luminouswithhonestmirth。Therewassomethingsimpleandgenuineinherbeautythatthrilledthemanbeforeher，themantryingsovindictivelytotraphertoherownundoing。Forallhisgrossness，Burkewasofshrewdperceptions，andsomewhere，half-submergedunderthesordidnatureofhiscalling，wasaloveofthingsesthetic，aresponsivenesstotheappealsofbeauty。Now，ashisglancesearchedthefaceofthegirlwhowasbubblingwithmirth，heexperiencedanoddwarmingofhisheartunderthespellofherloveliness——alovelinesswhollyfeminine，pervasive，wholesome。But，too，hissoulshookinapremonitionofcatastrophe，fortherewasmischiefinthebeamingeyesofsoftestviolet。Therewasademonofmockeryplayinginthecurvesofthescarletlips，asshesmiledsowinsomely。
　　Allhisapprehensionswereverifiedbyherutterance。Itcameinamostcasualvoice，despitethedancingdelightinherface。
　　Thetonesweredrawledinthematter-of-factfashionofstatementthatleadsalistenertoanswerwithoutheedtotheexactimportofthequestion，unlessveryalert，indeed……Thisiswhatshesaidinthatso-casualvoice:
　　"I'mnotspeakingloudenough，amI，stenographer？"
　　Andthatindustriouswriterofshorthandnotes，absorbedinhistask，answeredinstantlyfromhishiddenplaceinthecorridor。
　　"No，ma'am，notquite。"
　　Marylaughedaloud，whileBurkesatdumfounded。Sheroseswiftly，andwenttothenearestwindow，andwithapullatthecordsenttheshadeflyingupward。Forseconds，therewasrevealedthebusystenographer，bentoverhispad。Then，thenoiseoftheascendingshade，whichhadbeenhammeringonhisconsciousness，penetrated，andhelookedup。Realizationcame，ashebeheldthewomanlaughingathimthroughthewindow。Consternationbesethim。Heknewthat，somehow，hehadbungledfatally。Agroanofdistressburstfromhim，andhefledtheplaceinignominiousrout。
　　Therewasanotherwhosespiritwasequallydesirousofflight——Burke!Yetonceagain，hewasbeatenathisowngame，hiscunningmadeofnoavailagainstthecleverinterpretationofthiswomanwhomheassailed。Hehadnodefensetooffer。Hedidnotcaretomeethergazejustthen，sincehewaslearningtorespectherasonewronged，wherehehadregardedherhithertomerelyasoftheflotsamandjetsamofthecriminalclass。So，heavoidedhereyesasshestoodbythewindowregardinghimquizzically。Inapanicofconfusionquitenewtohiminhisyearsofexperience，hepressedthebuttononhisdesk。
　　Thedoormanappearedwiththatautomaticprecisionwhichmadehimvaluableinhisposition，andtheInspectorhailedthereadypresencewithafeelingofprofoundrelief。
　　"Dan，takeherback!"hesaid，feebly。
　　Marywassmilingstillasshewenttothedoor。Butshecouldnotresisttheimpulsetowardretort。
　　"Oh，yes，"shesaid，suavely；"youwererightonthelevelwithme，weren'tyou，Burke？Nobodyherebutyouandme!"Thewordscameinasing-songofmockery。
　　TheInspectorhadnothinginthewayofanswer——only，satmotionlessuntilthedoorclosedafterher。Then，leftalone，hissoleaudiblecommentwasasingleword——onehehadlearned，perhaps，fromAggieLynch:
　　"Hell!"
　　CHAPTERXXIII。THECONFESSION。
　　Burkewasapersistentman，andhehadsethimselftogettingthemurdererofGriggs。FoiledinhiseffortsthusfarbytheoppositionofMary，henowgavehimselfovertocarefulthoughtastoameansofprocedurethatmightofferthebestpossibilitiesofsuccess。Hisbeetlingbrowsweredrawninafrownofperplexityforafullquarterofanhour，whileherestedmotionlessinhischair，anunlightedcigarbetweenhislips。Then，atlast，hisfacecleared；agrinofsatisfactiontwistedhisheavymouth，andhesmotethedeskjoyously。
　　"It'sacinchit'llget'im!"herumbled，inglee。
　　Hepressedthebutton-call，andorderedthedoormantosendinCassidy。Whenthedetectiveappearedaminutelater，hewentdirectlytohissubjectwithastraightforwardenergyusualtohiminhiswork。
　　"DoesGarsonknowwe'vearrestedtheTurnergirlandyoungGilder？"And，whenhehadbeenansweredinthenegative:"Orthatwe'vegotChicagoRedandDaceyhere？"
　　"No，"Cassidyreplied。"Hehasn'tbeenspokentosincewemadethecollar……Heseemsworried，"thedetectivevolunteered。
　　Burke'sbroadjowlsshookfromtheforcewithwhichhesnappedhisjawstogether。