tch one of your
servants from here," suggested Nick.

"I have none here," sobbed Cervera. "They are all out, and I am alone. I
have no one--"

She suddenly stopped, then drew herself up with resentful dignity, and
wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I am a fool to be so weak!" she exclaimed, bitterly. "Detective Carter,
I know nothing of the crime you mention. I never heard of Mary Barton.
This arrest is an outrage, and I will appeal to the highest court in the
land for vindication!"

"That's your privilege," said Nick, shortly. "But at present you must go
with me."

"I cannot go as I am," declared Cervera, passionately stamping her
foot. "I am in evening dress--attired to receive a caller. I shall take
cold if I go out of doors in--"

"Oh, you may change your dress," Nick curtly interrupted, the need of
which was decidedly obvious. "I'll give you time for that."

"How very kind," sneered Cervera, with a bitter flash of her black eyes.
"You shall yet suffer for this affront, Detective Carter."

"All right," said Nick. "But I have no time to speculate upon it now, so
get yourself ready. Wait a bit, my lady! I'll go along with you!"

"With me? You insult me!"

"Oh, no, I don't. I want a look at your chamber before letting you out
of my sight. I've seen rooms with more than one way out, and I don't
intend that you shall elude me."

"You're a suspicious coward, sir!"

"Stow all that, senora, and lead the way," commanded Nick, bluntly.

Pale and resentful, with a sneer on her lips, Cervera led the way
through, the hall, playing her part so artfully that Nick, ignorant of
her late interview with Rufus Venner, was not much inclined to suspect
her of duplicity just then.

Upon reaching the top of the hall stairs, Cervera switched on another
light, and then that which illumined her chamber, into which she
haughtily led the detective.

"A fine affront to suffer," she bitterly exclaimed, throwing herself
into a chair. "Your conduct is despicable! You are no gentleman!"

"I am a detective," retorted Nick, "and I come pretty near knowing my
business."

"Oh! you do," sneered Cervera. "Plainly that is the limit of your
knowledge. You may not be as wise as you think."

Nick made no reply, but looked sharply about the room.

It was a large, square chamber, and elaborately furnished. The two
windows were well above the street, and offered no chance for escape.
There were but two doors, that leading into the hall and