Both Jerry Buck and the woman drew back in startled surprise.
The appearance of the detective thus unexpectedly, was, to judge from the countenances of both, anything but welcome to them.
For the moment even the ready wit of the Bat seemed to desert him, and he glanced from the face of the woman, who stood motionless behind the stove with her foot covering the hole in the floor, to that of Caleb Hook with an appearance of deep perplexity, not unmingled with fear.
"I don't know what you mean, mister. I——"
"Stop, Jerry. This is no time to lie. You know me well enough. Have you forgotten the morning at the Catherine Market—my visit to the Bats in the Wall?"
"Well, s'pose I hain't? What's that got to do with it? This here's a private room. What call have you got to run your nose in here?"
"One moment, Jerry," said the detective, coolly pushing the boy aside and advancing into the room.
"Madam, your most obedient," he continued, bowing respectfully to the woman. "My name is Hook. I am a police detective and the best friend Frank Mansfield has got. May I trouble you to tell me who and what you are?"
The woman trembled before him.
A wild, hunted look overshadowed her face; her eyes wandered restlessly about the room.