"'Look up,' said our reporter to the woman; 'you have nothing to be ashamed of.'
"Thus assured and comforted the woman raised her face, so that everyone in the office could see it clearly. Tears were hanging on her eyelids, and there was a piteous expression upon the trembling mouth.
"'I don't know her,' said the policeman, honestly.
"The constables in the office craned their necks, then shook their heads.
"'She's no better than she ought to be! She's no better than I am! I'm as good as her any day of the week! Go to blazes, the lot of yer!'
"The interruption came from a tipsy woman sitting on a bench. Inspector Jealous made a slight motion with his head, and the tipsy creature was taken away. Then Inspector Jealous turned to our reporter.
"'I have nothing to say against the constable making the charge,' said our reporter; 'he has performed his duty conscientiously, only he is mistaken. I was an eyewitness of the affair, and I say that there was nothing thrown in the river that the lady had not a right to throw into it--the property being her own--and that she did not attempt to commit suicide. Under these circumstances I trust you will not subject her to the indignity of being locked up. She will appear in the morning; I will be her recognizance.'
"Inspector Jealous nodded his head, and began to dissect.
"'What was in the bundle?' he asked of our reporter.
"'I have told you,' replied our reporter, feeling himself immediately at a disadvantage; 'her own property.'
"Manifestly this was a question which our reporter could not answer.
"'You must excuse my asking,' said the Inspector, 'how you come to know it was her property?'
"This time, instead of nodding his head, Inspector Jealous shook it.
"'I am afraid I cannot accept that. What is her name?'
"Another question which our reporter could not answer.
"'Where does she live?' pursued the logical and inexorable Inspector.
"Our reporter felt the ground slipping from under him. These two or three simple questions were like sledge-hammer blows, and he was staggered.
"'Surely,' he said, lamely parrying, 'you do not question my honesty in the matter?'
"'Not for a moment,' said Inspector Jealous, with perfect good temper, 'but you must see yourself how it stands. Here is a direct charge made----'