But there was something strange in his accent--and there was perhaps a foreign formality in his addressing my aunt as "Mistress." Englishmen in general would have called her "ma'am." We men kept our places at a safe distance from his chain.

My aunt, with a woman's impulsive contempt of danger when her compassion is strongly moved, stepped forward to him.

The superintendent caught her by the arm and checked her.

"Take care," he said.

"You don't know him as well as we do." Jack's eyes turned on the superintendent, dilating slowly.