phase of the
questioning with close attention, left his seat and went over to Judge
Brewster.

"Is it possible," he exclaimed, "is it possible that Underwood shot
himself? I never dreamed of doubting Howard's confession!" More
cordially he went on: "Brewster, if this is true, I owe you a debt of
gratitude--you've done splendid work--I--I'm afraid I've been just a
trifle obstinate."

"Just a trifle," said the judge dryly.

Sergeant Maloney took his hat.

"Hurry up!" said the captain, "you can telephone from the corner drug
store."

"All right, Cap'."

Dr. Bernstein also rose to depart.

"I must go, Mr. Brewster; I have an appointment at the hospital."

The judge grasped his hand warmly.

"Thank you, doctor!" he exclaimed, "I don't know what I should have done
without you."

"Thank you, sir!" chimed in the banker, "I am greatly indebted to you."

"Don't mention it," replied the psychologist almost ironically.

He went out and the banker impatiently took out his watch.

"It's getting late!" he exclaimed; "where is this girl. I have no faith
in her promises!"

As he spoke the library door opened and Annie appeared.

CHAPTER XVIII.

As Annie entered the room and caught sight of Mr. Jeffries, she
instinctively drew back. Just at that moment the banker was, perhaps,
the one man in the world whom she was most anxious to avoid. Captain
Clinton no longer had any terror for her. Now that the missing witness
had been found and the precious "suicide letter" was as good as in their
possession there was nothing more to fear. It was only a question of
time when Howard would be set free. But it was not in this girl's nature
to be concerned only with herself. If she possessed a single womanly
virtue, it was supreme unselfishness. There was some one beside herself
to take into consideration--a poor, vacillating, weak, miserable woman
who wished to do what was right and had agreed to do so, but who, in the
privacy of her own apartments, had gone down on her knees and begged
Annie to protect her from the consequences of her own folly. Her husband
must not know. Annie had promised that if there was any way possible
the knowledge of that clandestine midnight visit to Underwood's rooms
should be kept from him. Yet there stood the banker! She was afraid that
if they began questioning her in his presence she might be betrayed into
saying something that would instantly arouse his suspicions.

Judge Brewster went qu