ed
the railed enclosure reserved for those having business with the court.
He held a long whispered consultation with the Magistrate, and when he
left he was in possession of a search warrant, duly signed and sealed.
With the document securely hidden in his pocket, he proceeded uptown
again, eventually pausing before a three-story, brown-stone house, two
blocks from the Whitmore Iron Works.

An automobile was waiting at the curb. Britz made mental note of the
number of the machine, and, in the vestibule of the house transferred
the number to the back of an envelope.

It was past midnight, yet the drawing-room was aglow with light. Britz
rang the bell, and after a short wait, the door was slowly opened by a
servant.

"This is Mr. Beard's home, I believe?" the detective inquired.

"Yes, but Mr. Beard is not at home," answered the servant.

"I shall wait for him," decided Britz, thrusting a broad toe into the
narrow crack through which the servant was surveying him.

"It is rather late to call," protested the servant. "Besides, I don't
know you."

"I am an officer of the law," announced Britz. "I have come to search
the premises."

In his astonishment the servant insensibly relinquished his hold of the
door knob and Britz stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind
him.

"You can't come in here!" exclaimed the servant, recovering from his
surprise. "Get out!"

Britz displayed the search warrant.

"If you attempt to interfere with me I shall place you under arrest," he
threatened.

The perturbation of the servant increased. Being a dutiful and watchful
employe, his first impulse was to repel this nocturnal invasion of the
house. But something in Britz's stern attitude convinced him that the
unwelcome visitor would forcibly resent any interference.

"Can't you wait until Mr. Beard comes?" the servant appealed.

"Mr. Beard will not be here to-night," Britz informed him.

The detective's voice had penetrated to the lighted sitting-room, for it
was answered with a painful gasp, followed by the swish of skirts. A
moment later the heavy curtains which overhung the doorway parted,
revealing a woman's form sharply outlined against the background of
light. She was dressed in a dark suit and, as she faced the two men in
the hallway she lifted a heavy black veil.

Britz noted that her beautiful face was haggard from fatigue and long
agitation, but the excitement in her eyes bespoke an energy not to be
conqu