“It is Mrs. Jeckyl!” exclaimed Florence, appearing at the parlor-door.
“Mrs. Jeckyl! Oh, wretch! wretch!” said Mr Dainty, who had released Mrs. Weir, and now confronted the thoroughly-alarmed woman, who, seeing herself completely in the power of these two men, gave up without a struggle.
“Shall I go for the carriage?” said the officer.
“Yes, immediately. But, stay! let me call the carriage, while you hold your prisoner in charge.”
“What are you going to do?” demanded Mrs. Jeckyl, with regaining self-possession, as Mr. Dainty left the house.
“My business,” replied the officer, “is to make this arrest. What follows will depend on the character of evidence which may be produced against you.”
“At whose instance is the arrest made?”
“At the instance of Mr. Dainty, whose child you abducted.”
“I must know your authority!” The woman was growing bolder.
The officer merely took a metal star from his pocket and fastened it against his breast.