VI


Some days passed before Granice could obtain a word with the
District Attorney: he began to think that Allonby avoided him.

But when they were face to face Allonby's jovial countenance
showed no sign of embarrassment. He waved his visitor to a
chair, and leaned across his desk with the encouraging smile of a
consulting physician.

Granice broke out at once: "That detective you sent me the other
day--"

Allonby raised a deprecating hand.

"--I know: it was Stell the alienist. Why did you do that,
Allonby?"

The other's face did not lose its composure. "Because I looked
up your story first--and there's nothing in it."

"Nothing in it?" Granice furiously interposed.

"Absolutely nothing. If there is, why the deuce don't you bring
me proofs? I know you've been talking to Peter Ascham, and to
Denver, and to that little ferret McCarren of the Explorer. Have
any of them been able to make out a case for you? No. Well,
what am I to do?"