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52
THAT ROYLE GIRL

dead in the apartment by the lake, not at all like the man taken here with her and for whom she advanced to fight Calvin Clarke.

No negligible opponent, she! She had surprised Calvin, not only by offering herself as his chief antagonist, but by challenging him at the moment he had appeared.

She had not waited for his question of her; she had asked him, in her queer, hoarse, thrilling voice, by what right he might act for the People of Illinois?

"I'm an assistant state's attorney," he replied, and realized that actually he was defending himself.

"We're two of the people of Illinois, Ket and I are, Mr. Clarke!" she cried. "We've been waiting for you! For we're two of the People who are against whoever killed Adele! We are! And I want to talk to you."

Calvin retreated a step. She was trying to work upon him, he recognized; she had planned this, reckoned upon it. Had not Denson warned him that Ketlar had a girl who was "going alibi" for him and upon whom Ketlar could count to influence a jury?

"My business here," Calvin replied, severely, "is to examine the evidence against the prisoner—"

She cried, "The prisoner!"

Calvin nettled. "Didn't you know he was under arrest?"

"Yes," she said. "But no one had called him prisoner."

"That's what he is," Calvin insisted sternly, "a prisoner. I am here to examine the evidence against him in connection with the death of his wife. It is my business to present him for indictment and trial."

"When he didn't do it?"

"If you have evidence against another, of course it is my business to examine it."

"I have!"