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THAT ROYLE GIRL
59

When she was ready for the street, he led her to the lower floor where Ketlar's door opened for the passing of the police.

"I'm going out with her," Calvin informed Denson.

"Want a man, sir?"

"No; but you'd better have a woman here, fairly soon. Try to get Mrs. Hoswick," Calvin ordered. "Go on," he bid the girl in his charge.

"Where's Mr. Ketlar?" she appealed.

"In there."

"Oh, let me speak with him alone just a second"

"No," said Calvin; and Denson reported, "I've a stenographer in with 'him now taking down his statement."

"Good," Calvin approved.

A blinding light flashed and exploded and, looking down, Calvin saw a press photographer with camera set on the landing. Two reporters approached.

"Yes; this is the girl who claims an alibi for Ketlar," Calvin replied to them. "No; you can't talk to her yet. I am not through with my questioning."

"How much was she in it?" one of the reporters insisted.

Calvin refrained from reply and pushed past them, leading the girl down to the walk. He brought her to the street and, at a little distance, the reporters pursued, but did not interfere after he had called to a couple of men at the patrol car, "Follow and keep people from bothering."

The street, in the direction of the lake, was deserted and still. Normal night lights glowed in the entries; there seemed to be no contagion of activity from the building before which the police car backed and none from the apartment, which had been Adele's, on the next