"Is this true?" the man repeated, with something of horror in
his voice.
"It is," Mary said quietly.
For a little, there was silence in the room. Once, Inspector
Burke started to speak, but the magnate made an imperative
gesture, and the officer held his peace. Always, Mary rested
motionless. Within her, a fierce joy surged. Here was the time
of her victory. Opposite her was the man who had caused her
anguish, the man whose unjust action had ruined her life. Now,
he was her humble petitioner, but this servility could be of no
avail to save him from shame. He must drink of the dregs of
humiliation--and then again. No price were too great to pay for
a wrong such as that which he had put upon her.
At last, Gilder was restored in a measure to his self-possession.
He spoke with the sureness of a man of wealth, confident that
money will salve any wound.
"How much?" he asked, baldly.
Mary smiled an inscrutable smile.
"Oh, I don't need money," she said, carelessly. "Inspector Burke
will tell you how easy it is for me to get it.
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