“Alan, I have kept my word; I have brought back little Daisy.”—[page 421].
“I will go with you, sir; but withdraw yourself and men from this room; I—”
Something touches his arm.
He turns to see Winnie close beside him, her face flushing and paling, her breath coming in quick gasps.
“Alan,” she whispers, “what does he mean?”
Alan takes her quivering hand in his, and tenderly seeks to draw her back.
“He means what he says, Winnie. He is an officer of the law.”
“A prisoner! you! Oh, Alan, why, why?”
The tone of anguish, and the look in Alan’s eyes, reveal to Vernet the situation. This is the woman beloved by Alan Warburton; now his triumph over the haughty aristocrat will be sweet indeed. Now he can strike through her. Stepping forward, he lays a hand upon Alan’s arm.
“Mr. Warburton,” he says sternly, “I must do my duty. Bob, bring the handcuffs.”