“Your friend!” Taylor returned. His manner from that of the bluff cross-examiner changed to one that had something confidential and friendly in it. “Why, that ought to make it easier.”
“Easier?” she repeated. “What do you mean by that?”
“Well, you can get into his confidence. See?”
“But you’re wrong,” she said indignantly. “I’m sure he is absolutely innocent.”
“Then you’ll be glad of a chance to prove we’re wrong and you’re right.”
“But I couldn’t spy on a friend,” she declared.
“If your friend is innocent it won’t do him any harm,” Taylor observed, “and he’d never know. But if he’s guilty he deserves punishment, and you’ve no right to try and protect him. Any person would only be doing right in helping to detect a criminal; but you,”—he paused significantly,—“it’s just as much your duty as it is mine.” He showed her his gold badge of authority for a brief moment, and although it terrified her there was too much loyalty in her nature to betray a friend or even to spy upon one.
“No, no! I can’t do it,” she said.
“So you’re going back on your agreement,” he sneered. “Two can play that game. Suppose I go back on mine, too?”
“You wouldn’t do that,” she cried horrified at his threat.