But Matilda needed not the spur of another's desperation.

For herself she saw a prison cell agape.
"But I tell you I'm Matilda Simpson, Mrs.De Peyster's housekeeper!" "If so, who's the other mourner ?" inquired the humorous policeman.
"And what's she doin' here ?" "She's--she's"-- and then Matilda plunged blindly at a lie--"she's my sister." And having started, she went on: "My sister Angelica, who lives in Syracuse.

She's come to visit me awhile." The officer grinned.

"Well, Matilda and Angelica, we'll give you a chance to tell that to the lieutenant.

Come on." "But I tell you I'm Matilda Simpson!" cried Matilda.