"I cannot accept your note, madam."
"You cannot accept my note?"
"No, madam."
"I am surprised; do you fear non-payment?"
"I do."
"Will you explain?"
"Certainly; I have received information that the baron has quite a number of notes out with your name on them and the name of your husband."
The detective had struck the fatal blow; the woman wilted.
"You must have mercy on the young man," she exclaimed.
"It is not in my way, madam, to show mercy. What I need is money—my own money."