The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-10-09
Continued From Yesterday
CHAPTER xxI-continued

I'm afraid.' the girl asserted dis
mally I'm afraid you will-put me
in celI.' Her voice sank to a
murmur hardly audible as she spoke
the words so fraught with dread i'm
port to one of her refined sensibilities
sPoohr' Burke returned. CALAMITY,
Why, my dear young lady. nobody
in the world could think of you and
a cell at the same time-no. indeed"
Instantly the girl responded TO this
bald fattery. She fairly radiated ap-
probation of the compliment, as she
turned her eyes. dewy with tears, on
the somewhat Mustered inspector.
"Oh, thank your she exclaimed,
with naive enjoyment.
Forwith Burke set out TO make the
most of this favorable opportunity
Are you sure you've told me all
you know about this woman?' he
questioned
-Oh, yesl I've only seen her two or
three times came the ready re-
Spouse. The voice changed to sup
pIication, and again the clasped hands
were extended beseechingly.
"Oh, please, Commissioner Won't
you let me go homer
The use of a title higher than his
own hattered the inspector, and he
was moved to graciousness. Besides,
It was obvious that his police net in
this instance had enmeshed only the
most harmless of doves. He smiled
eneourag ingly.
Well. now, little lady" he said. al
most tenderly. IF I let you go now.
will you promise to let me know II
\ ~
else about this Turner woman"
4 wiIl-indeed, I will"' came the
feryeut assurance. There was some
thing almost-quite provocative in
the flash of gratitude that shone forth
from the blue eyes of the girl in that
moment of her superlative relief. 1t
moved Burke to a desire for rehabil-
itation in her estimation.
Now, you see," he went on in his
heavy voice, yet very kindly and with
a sort of massive playfulness in his
manner, no one has hurt you.not
even a little bit, after all Now, you
run right home to your mother"
The girl did not need TO be told
twice. On the instant, she sprang up
joyously and started toward the door,
with final ravishing smile for. the
pleased official at the desk
III go as fast as ever / can" the
musical voice made assurance blithely.
Give my compliments to your
father" Burke requested courteously.
And tell him I'm sorry I frightened
you"
The girl turned at the door. .
After all. too great haste might be
indiscreet.
Il will. commissioner" she prom
ised, with an arch smile. and 1
know papa will be so grateful to you
fof all your kindness TO me!'
1t was at this critical moment that
Cassidy entered from the opposite
side of the Office AS his eyes fell
on the girl at the door across from
him, hts stolid face lighted I'm a grin.
And in that same instant of recog-
milton between the two. the color
went out OF the girls face. The little
red lips snapped together in a line of
supreme disgust against this viciSl-
tude of fate after all her maneuver-
ings in the face of the enemy. She
stood motionless In wordless dismay,
impotent before this disaster forced
on her by untoward chance.
Hello, Aggiel9 the detective re-
marked, with a smirk, while the in
spector stared from one to the other
his jaw dropped from the stark sur
prise of this new development. The
girl returned deliberately to the chair
she had occupied through the inter-
view with the inspector. and dropped
into it weakly. Her form rested there
Imply now, and the blue eyes stared