“Yes. They were unimportant. Merely letters to her former society friends, in which she stated that, whether she should be convicted or acquitted, she renounced all claims to her former social status.�
“Rather an unnecessary announcement, that, don’t you think?� remarked the detective, with a slow smile.
“Perhaps—under the circumstances,â€� replied the lawyer.
The detective leaned back in his chair and lighted a cigar, which he took from one of his pockets. After a moment, he said:
“When the verdict was announced, the district attorney and I spent a few moments together, discussing the woman. We were quite agreed on one point concerning her—and, after what you have just said, I haven’t the slightest doubt that you will agree with us, too.â€�
“Concerning what, Carter?�
“The woman’s eyes. They seem to have had a strange effect upon you.�
“Look here, Carter, what are you driving at?�
“The district attorney and I agreed that the woman, Mrs. Madge Morton-Hurd-Babbington by name, has wonderful eyes, which in repose are like the eyes of a captive and sleepy tigress, and which can flame into burning hate, also, like the eyes of an enraged tigress. The district attorney assured me that her eyes had a strange and paralyzing effect upon him, hardened as he is in the practice of criminal prosecution. Ergo, you did not escape the paralyzing effect of them, Oaks.�
“What the dev——â€�