Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/217

Rh concluded coolly, "we can prove upon my mother's evidence, for which Mr. Brookingdale will gladly hold himself responsible, that Mr. Preston did hot leave our parlor at the Tudor last night till ten minutes after twelve, when, as you yourselves have said, the Bahia had already left her dock."

She turned to the American again, with her commanding, inevasive appeal, which he could only obey.

"Let us go now, Mr. Preston!" she said.

The inspector wavered.

"Men," he directed then, "until we can ascertain beyond all doubt whether or not this gentleman is the one we are after, make public none of the details we have gained this morning. If he is not the one, we must keep them to ourselves for our use until we have caught our man."

Then he followed the two young Americans as they made their way quietly through the inquiring, wondering crowd waiting outside. A part of the crowd started to follow as they 193