"I have the fellow to it here." He pulled out the other and handed it
by the muzzle.

"To be sure--to be sure; the pattern is identical," murmured Mr.
Bellingham, examining it and for the moment completely puzzled.
"You--er--suggest that she stole it?"

"Certainly not. I lent it to her."

There followed a slow pause. It was broken by the grating voice of Mr.
Trask--

"You remember, Mr. Chairman, that the prisoner stubbornly refused to
tell how the pistol came in her possession? Does Captain Vyell give us
to understand that his interest in this young woman is of older date
than this morning's encounter?"

"My interest in her--such as it is--dates, sir, from the evening before
last, when she was dismissed from the Bowling Green Inn. The hour was
late; her home, as you know, lies at some distance--though doubtless
within the ambit of your authority. I lent her this small weapon to
protect herself should she be molested."

"And she used it next day upon the Beadle! Dismissed, you say? Why was
she dismissed?"

"I regret that I was not more curious at the time," answered the
Collector with the politest touch of weariness. "I believe it was for
saving the house from fire--something of that sort. As told to me, it
sounded rather heroical. But, sir--" he turned again to the Chairman--"