She was dressed in a dark suit and, as she faced the two men in the hallway she lifted a heavy black veil.
Britz noted that her beautiful face was haggard from fatigue and long agitation, but the excitement in her eyes bespoke an energy not to be conquered by physical weariness.
"You say Mr.Beard will not be here to-night ?" she spoke, and her voice disclosed the fear that had suddenly gripped her heart.
"No," answered Britz.
"Then it is useless for me to wait." She moved toward the door but the detective interposed.
"I shall detain you only a few minutes," he said; "but having found you here it is necessary that I should ascertain your identity and the reason for this late visit." A shock passed through her, as though he had offered her an indignity.
"I must go," she declared.

"You have no right to detain me or to question me." "Would you prefer being questioned at Police Headquarters ?" he inquired.
The implied threat had an immediate effect on her.

She recoiled as from a blow and moved slowly into the sitting-room.

The detective followed her, after directing the servant not to leave the house.
"Madam, what is your name ?" he demanded brusquely.
It was not Britz's habit to be gruff with women.

By nature courteous, considerate of the weaker sex, he nevertheless realized that soft phrases will not prop a witness who, through sheer desperation of will, has been staving off physical collapse.