"'You must be hard of hearing. First a sob, then a scream. Now, then, own up!'
"He shook the woman roughly, but obtained no response from her. She was cowering to the flagstones, her face hidden in her hands.
"Our reporter is not the stamp of man to stand idly by while the life of a human being is in danger. He stripped off his coat and waistcoat with the speed of lightning.
"'That's your sort,' said the policeman. 'I can't swim; you can.'
"'Not a stroke,' said our reporter, and was about to plunge into the river when the woman sprang up and caught his arm.
"'For God's sake,' she said, trembling with agitation, 'do not risk your life for nothing.'
"'Your baby is drowning,' cried our reporter. 'Let me go!' He strove vainly to extricate himself from her clutch.
"'You shall not, you shall not!' said the woman. 'As Heaven is my judge, I have done no wrong. I have no baby; I came out alone. You are a gentleman. By all that is sacred I speak the truth!'
"'The policeman says he heard a scream.'
"'He is mistaken. I beg you to believe me. Oh, unhappy woman that I am? Have I not one friend in all the wide world?'