Will you fill your glass again, sergeant?"
The sergeant declined.
"Not if my watch is to be effective to-night," he smiled, and rose
to depart.
The judge, grown suddenly thoughtful, rapped with his finger-tips
on the table-edge. He had not yet risen to show his visitor out.
"I should like to ask a question," he finally observed, motioning
the other to re-seat himself. "You were not at the inquiry this
afternoon, and may not know that just as Bela and the crowd about
him turned this corner, they ran into a woman leading a small
child, who stopped the whole throng in order to address him. No
one heard what she said; and no one could give any information as
to who she was or in what direction she vanished. But I saw that
woman myself, earlier. She was in this house. She was in this
room. She came as far as that open space just inside the doorway.
I can describe her, and will, if you will consent to look for her.
It is to be a money transaction, sergeant, and if she is found and
no stir made and no talk started among the Force, I will pay all
that you think it right to demand."
"Let me hear her description, your honour." The judge, who had
withdrawn into the shadow, considered for a moment, then said:
"I cannot describe her features, for she was heavily veiled;
neither can I describe her figure except to say that she is tall
and slender. But her dress I remember to the last detail, though I
am not usually so observant. She wore purple; not an old woman's
purple, but a soft shade which did not take from her youth.
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