that, and doubtless accounted for her
companion's hasty flight. And there was something to be gained, by
letting her realize that she was under suspicion. She would at once try
to communicate with, to warn, her confederate, and it was in just such
ways as this, Duvall's experience told him, that criminals so often
betrayed themselves. If, by frightening Miss Ford, he could cause her to
flee--to join her companion--the tracing of the latter would become
comparatively simple. He went up to the door of No. 162 and rang the
bell.

The same woman answered his summons as had answered before. She seemed
somewhat uneasy--disturbed.

"I want to see Miss Marcia Ford," Duvall told her.

"Very well, sir. Come in. I will tell Miss Ford. What name, please?"

"Say that Mr. Bradley is calling."

The girl ushered him into a dark parlor, lighted by a single lowered gas
jet, and suggestive of the gloom of ages, in its walnut furniture, its
dismal pictures and ornaments. He took a seat, and waited for the
appearance of Miss Ford.

She arrived in a few moments, a slender, ordinary-looking girl, in white
shirtwaist and black skirt.

"You are Mr. Bradley?" she asked, regarding the detective with a look of
inquiry.

"Yes. I came to see you about a matter of importance."

"What is it?"

"Who was the woman who just left here--the woman who had just come in
with you?" Miss Ford favored the detective with a glassy stare.

"I do not understand you," she exclaimed. "I came home alone. What is
the purpose of these questions?"

Duvall felt that he had a shrewd opponent to deal with.

"Are you acquainted with Miss Ruth Morton?" he asked.

"Why--certainly--that is, I know her by reputation, She works for the
same company as I do. Why do you ask?"

"Miss Morton has recently been the subject of a shameful persecution.
The woman who just left this house is concerned in it. Who is she?"

"I do not know what you are talking about," the girl exclaimed, angrily.
"I know nothing about any woman. You must pardon me, Mr. Bradley, if I
decline to be questioned in this way any further." She moved toward the
door.

"Then you wish me to understand that the woman who just left this house
did not come here with you?"

"Understand anything you please. I decline to be questioned any
further." With a look of anger she left the room.

Duvall made his way back to the sidewalk, thoroughly satisfied with the
results of his visit. The Ford woman, in th