ice thus effectually. "You see, if there's a mistake about you,
you don't want it to go any further --not a mite further, that's
sure. So, you see, now, that's one of the reasons why I must
know just who you are." Then, in his turn, Burke put the query
that the girl had put to him a little while before. "You see
that, don't you?"

"Oh, yes, yes!" was the instant agreement. "You should have told
me all about this horrid thing in the first place." Now, the
girl's manner was transformed. She smiled wistfully on the
Inspector, and the glance of the blue eyes was very kind, subtly
alluring. Yet in this unbending, there appeared even more
decisively than hitherto the fine qualities in bearing of one
delicately nurtured. She sank down in a chair by the desk, and
forthwith spoke with a simplicity that in itself was somehow
peculiarly potent in its effect on the official who gave
attentive ear.

"My name is Helen Travers West," she announced.

Burke started a little in his seat, and regarded the speaker with
a new deference as he heard that name uttered.

"Not the daughter of the railway president?" he inquired.

"Yes," the girl admitted. Then, anew, she displayed a serious
agitation over the thought of any possible publicity in this
affair.

"Oh, please, don't tell any one," she begged prettily. The blue