Promptly the detective answered:
"Under these circumstances, madam, you will have to secure the services of another person."
"But do not forget your reward."
"Madam, all your wealth would not induce me to manufacture evidence making it appear that an innocent man was a criminal."
There came a pleased look to the old lady's face and she said:
"I said that to try you. I know now I can trust you—yes, trust your honor and your judgment. I will amend my answer. It will please me very much to learn that the young man is innocent. All I ask of you is to prove his guilt if he is guilty, his innocence if he is innocent."
"With that understanding I will undertake the case, and I will say here that at present evidences point to the suspicion that he is a guilty man, possibly guilty of the crime of murder."
The old lady dropped her voice and her utterance was husky as she asked:
"What evidence have you?"
"No evidence yet, but I have a suspicion. I propose to follow it up."