"Will you give me time and opportunity to prove my innocence?" she
demanded finally. "And if I _do_ convince you--?"

"I should be delighted to believe that I have made a mistake," Mr. Grimm
assured her. "How much time? One day? Two days?"

"I will let you know within an hour at your office," she told him.

Mr. Grimm rose.

"And meanwhile, in case of accident, I shall look to Count di Rosini for
adjustment," he added pointedly. "Good morning."

One hour and ten minutes later he received this note, unsigned:

"Closed carriage will stop for you at southeast corner of Pennsylvania
Avenue and Fourteenth Street to-night at one."

He was there; the carriage was on time; and my lady of mystery was
inside. He stepped in and they swung out into Pennsylvania Avenue,
noiselessly over the asphalt.

"Should the gold be placed in your hands now, within the hour," she
queried solicitously, "would it be necessary for you to know who was
the--the thief?"

"It would," Mr. Grimm responded without hesitation.

"Even if it destroyed a reputation?" she pleaded.