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108 injured innocence. Her lower lip was thrust out sullenly and there was a gathering storm in her eyes, but the detective gave no heed.

"Sit down, please. Miss Chalmers," he began in a brisk, business-like way. "You informed your family last night at the dinner-table, I believe, that you were going to leave the house to-day. Why?"

"That is my own affair." She ignored the chair to which he had motioned and stood very straight before him. "I do not choose to discuss it."

"But I do. You will be good enough to reply to my questions or I shall be compelled to resort to stronger measures than this informal interview." He paused and then added: "The attitude which you are taking in this matter might be construed to signify that you did not wish the person who has made these attempts on the lives of your stepfather and your brother to be apprehended."

Cissie drew a deep, convulsive breath, and her little fists clenched.

"What do you mean?" she demanded through set teeth. "How dare you say such hateful things to me? I have nothing to tell you that would be of any help in your investigation; and I resent your attitude, your impertinence!"

Her voice was shaking now and the storm broke into tears of hurt pride.

"I am very sorry," Odell's tones were coolly ironical, "but my dear young lady, you will find the attitude of my superiors far more than impertinent if you compel me to take you before them."

She sniffed in disdain and dried her tears.

"You would not dare!" she scoffed. "If you tried to