"What's the name of this mysterious witness?" exclaimed the banker testily. "If the police haven't been able to find her why should Howard's wife be able to do so? There was a report that she herself was——" He paused and added, "Did she tell you who it was?"
"No," said the judge dryly, "she will tell us to-night."
The banker bounded in his seat.
"You'll see," he cried. "Another flash in the pan. I don't like being mixed up in this matter—it's a disagreeable—most disagreeable."
Dr. Bernstein puffed a thick cloud of smoke into the air and said quietly:
"Yes, sir; it is disagreeable—but—unfortunately it is life."
Suddenly the door opened and Captain Clinton appeared, followed by his fidus Achates, Detective Sergeant Maloney. Both men were in plain clothes. The captain's manner was condescendingly polite, the attitude of a man so sure of his own position that he had little respect for the opinion of any one else. With an effort at amiability he began:
"Got your message, judge—came as soon as I could. Excuse my bringing the sergeant with me. Sit over there, Maloney." Half apologetically, he added: "He keeps his eyes open and his mouth shut, so he won't interfere. How do, doctor?"
Maloney took a position at the far end of the room, while Dr. Bernstein introduced the captain to Mr. Jeffries.
"Yes, I know the gentleman. How do, sir?"