d been watching all the time and
had at length stepped in to learn if his subordinates had followed his
instructions and to what extent they had succeeded.

"If he dies it will be murder."

"It is a big city."

"And so many terrible things happen like this every day. But sooner or
later those who commit them are found out. Nemesis always follows on the
heels of vengeance."

For the first time there was a flash of interest in the battered eyes of
the intruder. Perhaps he saw that this was not only a pretty woman but
a keen one, and sensed the veiled threat. Moreover, he knew that she had
lied at one point. There had been no light in the room across the court.

But what in the world was happening out there in the kitchen? Kitty
wondered. So far, not a sound. Had Cutty really taken flight? And why
shouldn't he have faced it out at her side? Very odd on Cutty's part.
Shortly she heard the heavy shoes of the policeman returning.

"Guess it's all right, miss. I'll report the affair at the precinct and
have an ambulance sent over. You'll have to come along with me, sir."

"Is that legally necessary?" asked the squat man, rather perturbed.

"Sure. You saw the thing and I verified it," declared the policeman. "It
won't take ten minutes. Your name and address, in case this man dies."

"I see. Very well."

Kitty wasn't sure, but the policeman seemed embarrassed about something.
The directness was gone from his eyes and his speech was no longer
brisk.

"My name is Conover," said Kitty.

"I got that coming in," replied the policeman. "We'll be on our way."

Not once again did the squat man glance at the man on the bed. He
followed the policeman into the hall, his air that of one who had
accepted a certain obligation to community welfare and cancelled it.

Kitty shut the door--and leaned against it weakly. Where had Cutty gone?
Even as she expressed the query she smelt burning tobacco. She ran out
into the kitchen, to behold Cutty seated in a chair calmly smoking his
infamous pipe!

"And I thought you were gone! What did you say to that policeman?"

"I hypnotized him, Kitty."

"The newspaper?"

"No. Just looked into his eye and made a few passes with my hands."

"Of course, if you believe you ought not to tell me--" said Kitty, which
is the way all women start their wheedling.

Cutty looked into the bowl of his pipe.

"Kitty, when you throw a cobble into a pond, what happens? A splash. But
did you ever notic