“Oh, you're here, too,” he said, as his eyes fell on Dick. “That's good. I wanted to see you, too.”
Inspector Burke was, in fact, much concerned over the situation that had developed. He was a man of undoubted ability, and he took a keen professional pride in his work. He possessed the faults of his class, was not too scrupulous where he saw a safe opportunity to make a snug sum of money through the employment of his official authority, was ready to buckle to those whose influence could help or hinder his ambition. But, in spite of these ordinary defects, he was fond of his work and wishful to excel in it. Thus, Mary Turner had come to be a thorn in his side. She flouted his authority and sustained her incredible effrontery by a restraining order from the court. The thing was outrageous to him, and he set himself to match her cunning. The fact that she had involved Dick Gilder within her toils made him the more anxious to overcome her in the strife of resources between them. After much studying, he had at last planned something that, while it would not directly touch Mary herself, would at least serve to intimidate her, and as well make further action easier against her. It was in pursuit of this scheme that he now came to Gilder's house, and the presence of the young man abruptly gave him another idea that might benefit him well. So, he disregarded Gilder's greeting, and went on speaking to the son.
“She's skipped!” he said, triumphantly.
Dick made a step forward. His eyes flashed, and there was anger in his voice as he replied:
“I don't believe it.”
The Inspector smiled, unperturbed.
“She left this morning for Chicago,” he said, lying with a manner that long habit rendered altogether convincing. “I told you she'd go.” He turned to the father, and spoke with an air of boastful good nature. “Now, all you have to do is to get this boy out of the scrape and you'll be all right.”
“If we only could!” The cry came with deepest earnestness from the lips of Gilder, but there was little hope in his voice.
The Inspector, however, was confident of success, and his tones rang cheerfully as he answered:
“I guess we can find a way to have the marriage annulled, or whatever they do to marriages that don't take.”