[CHAPTER XXX.]
Placing the three before him, and compelling them to lock arms, the officer was about to take up the line of march, when something in the back pocket of the man's trousers attracted him, the coat being lifted a trifle over it.
He thrust his hand forward and pulled the pistol from it that Kingsley had taken from Miss Chandler.
It was the single hope that the man had retained of release, and a low oath fell from his lips as he realized that it was gone.
"I owe this to you!" he exclaimed to Leonie. "You shall see how well I know how to liquidate my debts. Is this the honor that you claimed should be among thieves? I kept my word and you betrayed me; you shall pay for it with interest."
"Stop your threats and go along quietly, or I'll quiet you," cried the officer, lifting his club threateningly. "You are a nice party altogether, you are."
The sergeant's eyes were opened to their widest as the gentleman of elegant appearance, and the lady in the costume of a reception, entered his precinct.
"What are this lady and gentleman arrested for?" he inquired sternly of the officer.
"Absolutely without reason!" exclaimed Kingsley, attempting bravado. "We were out on a little mission of charity in connection with a family that has had a terrible affliction befall them to-night, when the officer arrested us. It is an outrage!"
"What have you to say, officer?"