But the consciousness that he was in a serious predicament, that he might be compelled to meet a serious charge, made him waver.

He was struggling furiously to maintain his composure, but his inward excitement reacted on his outer frame, rendering him speechless.

When, finally, he found his voice, he turned an appealing glance on the detective.
"She did commit suicide," he declared as if protesting his innocence before a hostile judge.

"I delivered the letter which you have in your pocket.

She read it, then crumpled it in her hand and threw it on the floor.
"'Mr.Beard,' she said, 'I've betrayed George to the police.