CHAPTER XXV.
THROUGH STEEL BARS.
True to her plan, Catherine ended her journey at Rochester.

She engaged a room at a second-rate hotel--marvelling greatly at the meanness of the accommodations, the like of which she had never seen--and, at ten o'clock of the morning, appeared at the Central Police Station.

The bundle of papers in her hand indicated that she had read the latest lies and venom poured out on Gabriel's defenseless head.
The haughty, full-fed sergeant in charge of the station made some objections, at first, to letting her see Gabriel; but the tone of her voice and the level look of her gray eye presently convinced him he was playing with fire, and he gave in.

Summoning an officer, he bade the man conduct her.

Iron doors opened and closed for her.