"You must prove it," continued Mr. Grimm mercilessly. "Personally, I am convinced, and Count di Rosini has practically assured me that—"
"It's unjust!" she interrupted passionately. "It's—it's—you have proved nothing. It's unheard of! It's beyond—!"
Suddenly she became silent. A minute, two minutes, three minutes passed; Mr. Grimm waited patiently.
"Will you give me time and opportunity to prove my innocence?" she demanded finally. "And if I do convince you—?"
"I should be delighted to believe that I have made a mistake," Mr. Grimm assured her. "How much time? One day? Two days?"
"I will let you know within an hour at your office," she told him.
Mr. Grimm rose.
"And meanwhile, in case of accident, I shall look to Count di Rosini for adjustment," he added pointedly. "Good morning."
One hour and ten minutes later he received this note, unsigned:
"Closed carriage will stop for you at southeast corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Fourteenth Street to-night at one."