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Rh know yourself, Sergeant. I spoke in sheer desperation without thinking what I was saying. I am not likely to place myself in jeopardy by eliminating an obscure member of the police force!" He caught himself up abruptly as if realizing that he had made a false move and added in haste: "I was foolish to permit myself to become excited over a mere bluff; I should have grasped the fact at once that neither you nor your chief would make laughing-stocks of yourselves by attempting to bring me to trial on such a charge and with such evidence! It would be a farce, a patent frame-up and you would be lucky if you were merely dismissed from the force without having further action taken against you!"

Odell could not help but admire the cleverness with which his opponent had turned the tables, and he smiled candidly.

"Granted. Still"—the smile faded and his jaw set sternly—"an arrest on suspicion, with due publicity, including the printing of that note verbatim in every newspaper in the city would achieve practically the same result as far as you are concerned, my dear Mr. Drew. I fancy that Gene's explanation would not only prove interesting reading to your circle of acquaintances but would prevent your making others among the unsophisticated scions of wealthy families."

"Perhaps, but Gene is not in a position to offer explanations," Drew retorted smoothly. "Having called your bluff, Sergeant, it seems to me that we are back at the starting-point of my proposition. Arrest me if you like; I admit it would ruin me as far as New York society goes, but I'll break you for it; and the world is wide for my activities although not for yours, unless you join the army of dis-