night, because I had the willies. She blew the joint about
half-past ten."

Burke shook his head, more in sorrow than in anger.

"What's the use of your lying to me?" he remonstrated.

"What, me?" Aggie clamored, with every evidence of being deeply
wounded by the charge against her veracity. "Oh, I wouldn't do
anything like that--on the level! What would be the use? I
couldn't fool you, Commissioner."

Burke stroked his chin sheepishly, under the influence of
memories of Miss Helen Travers West.

"So help me," Aggie continued with the utmost solemnity, "Mary
never left the house all night. I'd swear that's the truth on a
pile of Bibles a mile high!"

"Have to be higher than that," the Inspector commented, grimly.
"You see, Aggie Lynch, Mary Turner was arrested just after
midnight." His voice deepened and came blustering. "Young
woman, you'd better tell all you know."

"I don't know a thing!" Aggie retorted, sharply. She faced the
Inspector fiercely, quite unabashed by the fact that her vigorous
offer to commit perjury had been of no avail.

Burke, with a quick movement, drew the pistol from his pocket and
extended it toward the girl.