“I'm working for the good of New York City,” he answered venomously.

Mary let a ripple of cadenced laughter escape her.

“Since when?” she questioned.

A little smile twisted the lips of the District Attorney, but he caught himself quickly, and spoke with stern gravity.

“Miss Turner, I think you will find that a different tone will serve you better.”

“Oh, let her talk,” Burke interjected angrily. “She's only got a few minutes anyway.”

Mary remained unperturbed.

“Very well, then,” she said genially, “let us be comfortable during that little period.” She made a gesture of invitation toward chairs, which Burke disdained to accept; but Demarest seated himself.

“You'd better be packing your trunk,” the Inspector rumbled.

“But why?” Mary inquired, with a tantalizing assumption of innocence. “I'm not going away.”