"Before I explain my business to you I must exact a promise."
"I am careful about making promises."
"Yes, I know as a detective you are not at liberty to make promises off-hand, but my case is a very peculiar one."
"What do you wish me to promise?"
"I have a very remarkable disclosure to make; probably one of the most remarkable disclosures you ever listened to during the whole course of your professional career. It is a disclosure that will call for very prompt measures on your part. It is a disclosure that will make you professionally one of the most famous detective officers in the world."
Oscar stared and wondered what could be the nature of this thrilling disclosure. He said nothing, but kept upon a line of intense thought, and the woman proceeding said:
"Some very prominent people will be involved—men who stand high, who will be torn from their high estate. I am willing that you should perform your full professional duty, save as concerns one individual, and I want you to promise that you will save that one individual, though he may be the most guilty of the whole gang of criminals."
The woman's proposition was suggested, and it was a most remarkable one.
"I cannot."