Herbert was the picture of distress. The man watched him with a leer. With all his defects, Adler possessed acute intelligence and he realized that Herbert was more deeply interested in Mary Black than he was willing to acknowledge. Knowing this, he felt that he had struck his captor in his weakest spot. It did not take Herbert long to decide. Turning to the unfortunate man, he said:
“Then mum’s the word,” replied the burglar, “I’ll not squeal; I’ll go about my business and let you and your friends go about yours.”
“Wait a minute,” was Herbert’s comment. Going to the foot of the stairs, he called for Mary Black. She came up very much agitated. She peeped in at the burglar, who still lay in a heap on the floor, and shuddered at the sight. Herbert whispered to her.
“Mary, this man deserves to be arrested and imprisoned; but I have a great notion to let him go. He is an old Cleverly boy. It’s Harry Adler. He never did amount to much, but it might be an act of charity to permit him to go in peace this time.”
Her eyes brightened and the color returned to her face. In her enthusiasm she took Herbert by both hands, exclaiming:
“I agree with you thoroughly, and I think you’re simply great to act so generously with a man who is at your mercy.”
While this conversation was going on the policemen who had been patiently waiting in the front and rear of the house, tiring of their long watch, came inside and walked up the stairway. As they joined the group, Herbert turned to the man who had accompanied him, and said:
“Gentlemen, this is all a deplorable error. This gentleman is a distant relative of the family. In the confusion he was taken for an intruder. The family is very much mortified, and hopes that nothing more will be said about the matter.”
The policemen smiled at this and bowing their heads in acquiescence left the house, chuckling in audible tones. Such scenes were not unfamiliar to the members of the metropolitan police force. As soon as they had gotten out of sight, Herbert turned to Adler, and in a tone freighted with anger and contempt, exclaimed:
The man looked up out of the corner of his eye as if to assure himself that there was no treachery intended, and then slunk downstairs and out into the street.