trike the Minister. How can that be got,
and keep away from the courts?"

"An investigating committee is what you are thinking of," said the
Mayor. "I can call such a body together at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, our
most distinguished citizens. They could receive the confession of this
woman, and report to the public on her character."

"That's the plan," Arthur interrupted with joy. "That _must_ be carried
out. I'll see that Claire appears before that committee and confesses
her frauds. But mark this: on that committee you should have the agents
of Livingstone: Bradford, Bitterkin ... I owe him one for his meanness
to the Senator ... Smallish in particular, and McMeeter for the fun of
the thing."

"Wild horses wouldn't drag them to it," Grahame thought.

"I have something better than wild horses, the proofs of their
conspiracy, of their league with this woman," and Arthur pointed to the
locked drawers of the office. "How will our minister to England like to
have his name connected with this scandal openly. Now, if these people
refuse to serve, by heavens, I'll take the whole case to court, and give
it an exposure as wide as the earth. If they're agreeable, I'll keep
away from the courts, and the rougher part of the scandal."

"There's your weapon," said the Mayor, "the alternative of committee or
court. I'll see to that part of the business. Do you get the escaped nun
ready for her confession, and I'll guarantee the committee, let us say
inside of ten days. Your part, Grahame, will be to write up a story for
the morning papers, covering dramatically the details of this very
remarkable episode."

They sat long discussing the various features of the scheme.

Next morning Curran and Arthur sat down to talk over the terms of
surrender in the detective's house. Colette still kept her bed,
distracted with grief, and wild with apprehension over the sensational
articles in the morning papers. Curran saw little hope for himself and
his wife in the stern face of Dillon.

"At the start I would like to hear your explanation," Arthur began
coldly. "You were in my employ and in hers."

"In hers only to hinder what evil I could, and to protect her from
herself," the detective answered steadily and frankly. "I make no
excuse, because there isn't any to make. But if I didn't live up to my
contract with you, I can say honestly that I never betrayed your
interest. You can guess the helplessness of a man in my fix. I have no
influe