"Yes, sir," the officer replied obsequiously.
"You're sure you haven't anything else?"
"Quite sure, sir," was the answer.
"That being the case," said Deforrest, quietly, "I'll match it with—with this."
He drew from his pocket another paper which he tendered the officer. After the man scanned it, he handed it without a word to Waldstricker. The elder in his turn read it through. It was an order from the court recalling the warrant obtained by Ebenezer Waldstricker for Tessibel Skinner's arrest. The constable grinned sheepishly at Waldstricker.
"I guess that ends my usefulness here," he said, smiling admiringly at Professor Young. "Good afternoon, miss! Goodday, gentlemen!"
Waldstricker, murder in his heart, took one stride toward Young, as the door closed behind the departing man.
"How'd you find out this was to happen today?" he gritted through his teeth. "I insist upon knowing."
"A little bird told me," grinned Professor Young. Then, glancing at Tess, and seeing how white she was, there rose within him a righteous indignation, and he went on, "You might employ your time to better advantage than torturing—"
For a moment he didn't know what to call Tessibel. She was no longer a child, no longer a little girl, although she looked deplorably young and sick as she sat huddled in the chair.