I want that confession." "I assure you----" began Milburgh.
"I want that confession," said Tarling, and with a sickly smile.

Milburgh put his hand in his pocket and drew out the crumpled sheet.
"Now, if you are anxious to see it burn," said Tarling, "you will have an opportunity." He read the statement again and put it into the fire, watched it until it was reduced to ashes, then beat the ashes down with a poker.
"That's that," said Tarling cheerfully.
"I suppose you know what you've done," said Milburgh.

"You've destroyed evidence which you, as an officer of the law----" "Cut that out," replied Tarling shortly.
For the second time that night he unlocked the door and flung it wide open.
"Milburgh, you can go.

I know where I can find you when I want you," he said.
"You'll be sorry for this," said Milburgh.
"Not half as sorry as you'll be by the time I'm through with you," retorted Tarling.
"I shall go straight to Scotland Yard," fumed the man, white with passion.
"Do, by all means," said the detective coolly, "and be good enough to ask them to detain you until I come." With this shot he closed the door upon the retreating man.
The girl was sitting now on the edge of the sofa, her brave eyes surveying the man who loved her.
"What have you done ?" she asked.
"I've destroyed that precious confession of yours," said Tarling cheerfully.

"It occurred to me in the space of time it took to get from you to my wash-stand, that that confession may have been made under pressure.