"We even have the sole witness to this tragedy in the hollow of our hands."
There was a gentle tap on the door. Pemmican opened it and held a whispered conversation with one of the attendants of the house. Then he came back into the room and looking at the captain, he said:—
"They say down-stairs that two of the prosecutor's men were seen leaving the 'Elevated' a few minutes ago, and that they were working their way over to the West."
"Jumpin' Jerusalem!" exclaimed the captain, leaping to his feet. "They're coming here. That ends me—I'm off!" He caught up his cap and disappeared.
Pemmican once more locked the door; then Broderick resumed the conversation.
"By George, that's so!" he said to Thorne. "Pemmican is the witness; we can keep him muzzled."
Pemmican edged forward from his position near the wall. Advancing to the table he placed both hands upon it and looked at the two men belligerently.
"But you won't keep me muzzled!" he exclaimed.
Broderick gasped:
"W—what?"