Our hero spoke in a stern voice.
There came a look of agony to the girl's face as she murmured:
"It is as I feared; it is all over."
As she spoke she drew something from the bosom of her dress and was carrying it to her lips, but the detective was too quick for her. He leaped forward and seized her wrist. She sought to struggle, but in his powerful grasp her struggles soon ceased, and as she stood pale, trembling and helpless, she said:
"Please let me die."
"Why do you wish to die?"
"I do not want to live."
"Answer me one question: are you a criminal, and do you fear to live?"
"I am not a criminal. What I told you was the truth."
"Then why do you wish to die?"