"Robert Underwood dead!" exclaimed Annie with more surprise than emotion.
"Yes," said the captain sternly, "and your husband, Howard Jeffries, killed him."
"That's not true! I'd never believe that," said Annie promptly.
"He's made a full confession," went on the captain.
"A confession!" she echoed uneasily. "What do you mean?"
"Just what I say. Your husband has made a full confession, in the presence of witnesses, that he came here to Underwood's rooms to ask for money. They quarreled. Your husband drew a pistol and shot him. He has signed a confession which will be presented to the magistrate this morning."
Annie looked staggered for a moment, but her faith in her husband was unshakable. Almost hysterically she cried:
"I don't believe it. I don't believe it. You may have tortured him into signing something. Everybody knows your methods, Captain Clinton. But thank God there is a law in the United States which protects the innocent as well as punishes the guilty. I shall get the most able lawyers to defend him even if I have to sell myself into slavery for the rest of my life."
"Bravo, little woman!" said the captain mockingly. "That's the way to talk. I like your spunk, but before you go I'd like to ask you a few questions. Sit down."
He waved her to a chair and he sat opposite her.