"I'll come," she said quickly, "but first tell me what you had to do with the police?"

Kind hesitated, then lowered his lips to the level of her ear--

"I was a detective once," he whispered, hoarsely. "Used to look after chaps like this Dr. Herries you talk of, and hang 'em if I could."

"You beast," said Elspeth in low tones, drawing back. "Dr. Herries is quite innocent."

"Then let him save the missus, and I'll save him."

"Can you?" she asked, her breast heaving.

"Yes, if he really and truly is innocent."

"He is. I swear he is," she cried passionately. "Wait till I get my hat and shawl, and we'll see the Inspector, and afterwards go to Mrs. Kind."

"Don't tell this police chap of my being a detective," said Kind, in an anxious tone. "I've cut that business; and if folks knew what I had been, they wouldn't come and buy things. All the patter in the world wouldn't help a Cheap-jack who had once hanged criminals."

"You'll save this one, only he isn't a criminal," said Elspeth, and glided away up the stairs, while Kind boldly went towards the parlour and knocked. Mrs. Narby opened the door. Sweetlips Kind explained himself in a few minutes, and asked that the prisoner, guarded, of course, should be permitted to see Mrs. Kind.

"Certainly not," said Trent, sternly, "the prisoner is in his bedroom, and there he must remain until he is lodged in gaol."

"But my wife will die," said Kind, faintly.

"I am sorry," replied Trent blandly and uneasily, for his own inclination was to permit the visit. "But I cannot exceed my powers."

"Then you won't, sir?"

"If you knew the police, my man, you wouldn't ask that."

"I know the police for the biggest set of fools on earth," cried the Cheap-jack passionately. "You'll never hang this man, if I can clear his character. I'll save him to spite you, that would let my poor wife die, for your cursed red-tape business," and before the astonished Trent could express the indignation he felt, Kind was out of the inn, waiting in the foggy street for Elspeth. She joined him shortly in a state of 

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