in her devotion to him. He was incapable of doing an evil deed, he
abhorred falsehood, he insisted on defending the rights of his fellow
men. Therefore, in spite of any evidence against him Mary Louise
believed in his innocence.

Having settled this belief firmly in mind and heart, the girl felt a
distinct sense of relief. She would doubt no more. She would not try, in
the future, to solve a mystery that was beyond her comprehension. Her
one duty was to maintain an unfaltering faith.

At seven o'clock she went to the breakfast room, to which but two or
three other guests of the hotel had preceded her, and in a few minutes
Detective O'Gorman entered and seated himself at a table near her. He
bowed very respectfully as he caught her eye and she returned the
salutation, uneasy at the man's presence but feeling no especial
antagonism toward him. As he had said, he was but doing his duty.

O'Gorman finished his breakfast before Mary Louise did, after which,
rising from his chair, he came toward her table and asked quietly:

"May I sit at your table a moment, Miss Burrows?"

She neither consented nor refused, being taken by surprise, but O'Gorman
sat down without requiring an answer.

"I wish to tell you," he began, "that my unpleasant espionage of you is
ended. It will be needless for me to embarrass or annoy you longer."

"Indeed?"