Part 38 (2/2)
”She hasn't come yet,” she replied, ”but she will, I'm sure--I know she will.”
”How did you come to find her?” demanded the captain suspiciously.
Annie hesitated a moment and glanced at Mr. Jeffries. Then she said hesitatingly:
”That I--I cannot say--now.”
Captain Clinton's ma.s.sive bulldog jaw closed with an ominous click.
”Decline to answer, eh? What's her name?”
She remained silent.
”What's her name?” he repeated impatiently.
”I cannot tell you,” she said firmly.
”Do you know it?” he bellowed.
”Yes,” she answered quietly.
”Know it, but can't say, eh? Hum!”
He folded his arms and glared at her. Mr. Jeffries now interfered.
Addressing Annie angrily, he said:
”But you must speak! Do you realize that my son's life is at stake?”
”Yes, I do,” she replied quickly. ”I'm glad to see that you are beginning to realize it, too. But I can't tell you yet----”
The judge turned to the police captain.
”I may tell you, captain, that even I myself have not succeeded in learning the name of this mysterious personage.” Addressing Annie, he said: ”I think you had better tell us. I see no advantage in concealing it any further.”
Annie shook her head.
”Not yet,” she murmured; ”she will tell you herself when she comes.”
”Ha! I thought as much!” exclaimed the banker incredulously.
The captain rose and drew himself up to his full height, a favorite trick of his when about to a.s.sert his authority.
”Well, when she does come!” he exclaimed, ”I think you may as well understand she will be taken to headquarters and held as a witness.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”WHEN THIS MYSTERIOUS WITNESS DOES COME I SHALL PLACE HER UNDER ARREST.”]
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