Like one inspired by a great purpose, Britz moved with the human current down Broadway.

It pleased him to think that he had converted Miss Burden's confiding love into an instrument of justice; that by its means he would establish ere another hour had sped, the innocence or the guilt of Beard.

What her own feelings in the matter might be, did not concern him.

He might deplore the necessity of causing an innocent woman to suffer; but if it were necessary for the accomplishment of his end--well, law and order are exacting taskmasters and cannot pause to consider the injured feelings of individuals! Britz turned into Wall street, possessed by a sense of elation, like a man about to reach out for a long-coveted prize.

Through the knowledge gleaned that morning in the Tombs, he would render Lester Ward pliant to his will; would extract from his unsuspecting lips the truth concerning Whitmore's death.
In front of a huge office building the detective halted, permitting his eyes to linger a moment on a brass door-plate that bore the simple device--Ward & Co.
Britz was aware that the firm was one of the oldest in the district, having been established by Ward's grandfather.