“At last,” he said, “I see where the smart from the Home office comes in.”
“The Secretary of State has appointed a special independent commissioner to inquire into this hellish traffic,” replied Margaret quietly. “I am glad to say that I have helped in getting this done by the representations which I have made to my uncle, Lord Wrexborough. But I give you my word, Inspector Kerry, that I have withheld nothing from you any more than from him.”
“Him!” snapped Kerry, eyes fiercely ablaze.
“From the Home Office representative—before whom I have already given evidence.”
Chief Inspector Kerry took up his hat, cane and overall from the chair upon which he had placed them and, his face a savage red mask, bowed with a fine courtesy. He burned to learn particulars; he disdained to obtain them from a woman.
“Good morning, Miss Halley,” he said. “I am greatly indebted to you.”
He walked stiffly from the room and out of the flat without waiting for a servant to open the door.
PART SECOND
MRS. SIN
CHAPTER XII.
THE MAID OF THE MASQUE
The past life of Mrs. Monte Irvin, in which at this time three distinct groups of investigators became interested—namely, those of Whitehall, Scotland Yard, and Fleet Street—was of a character to have horrified the prudish, but to have excited the compassion of the wise.