"You were with this clever gentleman in the cellars. You may or may
not be acquainted with him. I do not wish to do anything hasty in
regard to yourself, but your position is rather equivocal. Produce
your card and be identified--if you really can."
"I refuse!"
"Then I shall ask you to accompany us to the room up stairs till the
police-patrol arrives."
"I will go,"--quietly.
"Nonsense!" I objected. "On my word of honor, I do not know this lady.
Our presence in the cellar was perfectly harmless. There is no valid
reason for detaining her. It is an outrage!"
"I am not going to stand here arguing with you," said Haggerty. "Let
the lady produce her card; let her disclose her identity. That is
simple enough."
"I have already given you my determination on that subject," replied
the girl. "I can very well explain my presence here, but I absolutely
decline to explain it to the police."
I didn't understand her at all. She had said that she possessed an
alibi. Why didn't she produce it?
So the two of us left the gorgeous ball-room. Every one moved aside
for us, and quickly, too, as if we had had the plague. I looked in
vain for Hamilton. He was a friend in need. We were taken into the
steward's office and the door was shut and locked.
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