the stationery cabinet had been disturbed and laughed. It was
neither a pleasant nor an amused laugh.

"That's the idea, eh?" he said, walked to the door, closed it and stood
with his back to it.

"Now, Milburgh, you can give me that confession you've got in your
pocket."

"I've burnt it, Mr. Tarling."

"You're a liar," said Tarling calmly. "You knew very well I wouldn't let
you go out of this room with that confession in your pocket and you tried
to bluff me by burning a sheet of writing-paper. I want that confession."

"I assure you----" began Milburgh.

"I want that confession," said Tarling, and with a sickly smile. Milburgh
put his hand in his pocket and drew out the crumpled sheet.

"Now, if you are anxious to see it burn," said Tarling, "you will have an
opportunity."

He read the statement again and put it into the fire, watched it until it
was reduced to ashes, then beat the ashes down with a poker.

"That's that," said Tarling cheerfully.

"I suppose you know what you've done," said Milburgh. "You've destroyed
evidence which you, as an officer of the law----"

"Cut that out," replied Tarling shortly.

For the second time that night he unlocked the door and flung it wide
open.

"Milburgh, you can go. I know where I can find you when I want you," he
said.

"You'll be sorry for this," said Milburgh.

"Not half as sorry as you'll be by the time I'm through with you,"
retorted Tarling.

"I shall go straight to Scotland Yard," fumed the man, white with
passion.

"Do, by all means," said the detective coolly, "and be good enough to ask
them to detain you until I come."

With this shot he closed the door upon the retreating man.

The girl was sitting now on the edge of the sofa, her brave eyes
surveying the man who loved her.

"What have you done?" she asked.

"I've destroyed that precious confession of yours," said Tarling
cheerfully. "It occurred to me in the space of time it took to get from
you to my wash-stand, that that confession may have been made under
pressure. I am right, aren't I?"

She nodded.

"Now, you wait there a little while I make myself presentable and I'll
take you home."

"Take me home?" said the startled girl. "Not to mother, no, no. She
mustn't ever know."

"On the contrary, she must know. I don't know what it is she mustn't
know," said Tarling with a little smile, "but there has been a great deal
too much mystery already, and it is not going to continue."