"Get back there!" he said, sternly, facing the crowd now pressing about the door. "Get back, every one of you! The law will attend to this matter without your help!"
He pushed back a brawny butcher as he spoke, who, with his check frock hanging to his heels, had pushed his way beyond the rest within the little room.
At the same instant a slight stir was observed among those beyond, and a young man with pallid features and whitened lips tightly set pushed his way into the room.
He was followed by a second youth but little younger than himself, who held a bundle of newspapers beneath his arm.
Detective Hook started back with an exclamation of surprise.
Before him stood the very pair who had eluded his grasp in the street but a few moments before.
It was Frank Mansfield and his newsboy companion, Jerry Buck.
Attracted by the outcry in the street and impelled by a desire for which he was wholly unable to account, Frank had followed the crowd through the alley and up the rickety stairs, wholly regardless of results.
Springing forward, he now sank beside the body of the unfortunate woman with a low, horror-stricken cry.
Instantly the detective's hand was upon his shoulder and had gently, but firmly, raised him to his feet.