"Isn't it terrible enough that I should suffer so," she
interrupted, "but must the newspapers hound me, too?"

"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Close," said Craig, "but you must be
aware that the news of your suit of Dr. Gregory has now become
public property. I couldn't stop the Star, much less the other
papers, from talking about it. But I can and will do this, Mrs.
Close. I will see that justice is done to you and all others
concerned. Believe me, I am not here as a yellow journalist to
make newspaper copy out of your misfortune. I am here to get at
the truth sympathetically. Incidentally, I may be able to render
you a service, too."

"You can render me no service except to expedite the suit against
that careless doctor--I hate him."

"Perhaps," said Craig. "But suppose someone else should be proved
to have been really responsible? Would you still want to press
the suit and let the guilty person escape?"

She bit her lip. "What is it you want of me?" she asked.

"I merely want permission to visit your rooms at your home and to
talk with your maid. I do not mean to spy on you, far from it;
but consider, Mrs. Close, if I should be able to get at the
bottom of this thing, find out the real cause of your misfortune,
perhaps show that you are the victim of a cruel wrong rather than
of carelessness, would you not be willing to let me go ahead? I
am frank to tell you that I suspect there is more to this affair