The San Francisco call., 1913-10-08
CHAPTER XXI
Aggfe At Bay

Burke, after the lawyer had left
him, watched the door expectantly for
the coming Of the girl. whom he had
ordered brought before him. But
when al last Dan appeared and stood
aside to permit her passing into the
Office, the inspector gasped at the un-
expectedness of the vision. lie had
anticipated the coming of a woman OF
that world with which he was most
familiar in the exercise of his pro-
fessional duties-the underworld of
criminals, some one beautiful perhaps,
but with the brand of viciousness
marked subtly. yet visibly for the
trained eye to see. Then, even in that
first moment, he told himself that he
should have been prepared for the
unusual in this instance, since the girl
had to do with Mary Turner. and that
disturbing person herself showed in
face and form and manner nothing to
suggest aught but a gentlewoman.
And in the next instant the inspector
forgot his surprise in a sincere, almost
ardent admiration.
The girl was rather short. but of a
slender elegance of form that was
ravisbing. She was gowned. too, with
p chic nicely to arouse the envy
of all less fortunate women. Her
costume had about it an in
dubitable air, fnality of perfec-
fion in its kind On another 1t
might have appeared perhaps the
rnerest trife garish. But that fault,
If in fact 1t ever existed, was made
into virtue by the correcting inno-
cence of the girls face 1t was
childish face, childish in the exquisite
smoothness of the soft, pink skin,
childish in the wondering stare of
the blue eyes, now so widely opened
in dismay, childish In the wistful
dropping of the rosebud mouth
The girl advanced slowly, with a
1sggard hesitation In her movements
obviously from fear. She approached
the desk. from behind which the in
spector watched, fascinated by. the
fresh and wholesome beauty oftthis
Young creature. He failed to observe
the underlying anger beneath the
girls outward display OF alarm He
shook off his first impression by
means of a resort TO his customary
buster in such cases.
Now. then, my GIRL he said rough
~ Il want to know
There came a change, wrought in
the twinkling of an eye. The tiny,
, trinity shod foot of the girl rose and
fell in a wrathful stamp.
How dare your The clear blue
e-yes were become darkened with an
ger. There. was deepened leaf of
red in either cheek. The dropping
lips dropped no longer. but were bent
to a haughtiness that was finely i'm
pressive.
the young woman, Burke sat bewild-
cred by embarrassment for once in
his lfe and quite at loss.
What's that2" he said, obviously.
The girl explained the matter ex-
plicitly enough.
What do you mean by this out
rs4 IT1w- far &c
low and rich. with a charming round
ness that seemed the very hallmark
OF gentility But. now, It was sur
charged with an indignant amaze
ment over the indignity put upon her
by the representatives of the law.
Then. abruptly the blue eyes were
softened in their fires, as by the sud-
den nearness of tears.
What do you rnean2" the girl re-
peated. Her slim form was tense
with wrath. Il demand my instant
release" There was indescribable re-
huke in her slow emphasis OF the
words
Burke was impressed in spite of
himself, in spite of his accustomed
cold Indifference to the feelings of
others as necessity compelled him TO
make investigation Of them His
harsh clustering voice softened per-
ceptibIy. and he spoke in a wheedling
tone, such as one might employ In the
effort to tranquillize a spoiled child
in fit of temper.
Wait minute he demonstrated.
sWait a nninute." He made pacific
aIlv courteous gesture toward one Of
the chairs, which stood by an end
of the desk "Sit down." he in
vfted, with an effol toward cajol-
Ing.
The scorn Of the girl was superb.
Her voice came icily as she answered.:
II shall do nothing of the sort.
Sit down. indeed i-herei why, have
been arrested" There came a break
tr the music of her tones throbbing
resentment. A little sob crept in,