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 be freed; so, if she were held until morning, the State would be obliged to bow to Hoberg.

Evidently no more was to be learned from her by questioning in confinement; and there was no risk to the State's case, if she were released; she could not run away. The State could keep her under surveillance and, from observation of her, perhaps develop new evidence against Ketlar and her. So Calvin decided to free her and see what she would do.

She was sitting at her window watching the lights of the city and now and then replying to Mrs. Hoswick's cheerful efforts at conversation, when the policewoman was called into the hall.

"You can go home now," Mrs. Hoswick announced, when she returned.

"Home?" cried Joan Daisy, jumping up. "Why?"

"Why," repeated Mrs. Hoswick. "They're through with you."

"Through!" cried Joan Daisy. "Oh, where's Ket?"

"Downstairs, I suppose. But they're not through with him."

"Not! Why not?"

"They're not, dearie. It's just you that's going home."

"Oh!" breathed Joan Daisy, dropping to her chair and clinging to it. "Then I'll stay here, thanks."

"You can't," denied Mrs. Hoswick firmly but kindly. "You're released. You're sent home."

"I don't want to go home. I don't want to leave Ket."

"You'd not see him again anyhow, dearie."

"Why, what are they doing with him?"

"They're taking him to a station, dearie."

"Oh!"

"And this room's given up. You got to go."

"Oh!"