"'Did you not hear her say,' said our reporter, 'that she was alone, and no baby with her?'
"'I heard something of the sort,' replied the policeman, candidly, believing it is another matter. 'I believe in my own ears. Are you a confederate of hers?'
"Our reporter laughed, and his laugh strengthened the policeman's suspicions and excited his ire.
"'Perhaps you will both deny,' he said, 'that something was thrown into the river.'
"'I certainly heard a splash,' said our reporter, and he looked at the woman for confirmation, but she said nothing.
"'We'll fish it up, whatever it is,' said the policeman. 'If it isn't a baby--which I say it is, as I heard it cry--it's stolen property. Pretty nigh as bad.' So saying, he blew his whistle.
"The sound terrified the woman; she clung to our reporter.
"'What need is there to summon assistance?' asked our reporter.
"'I know what I'm up to,' replied the policeman. 'I'll trouble you to come to the police station.
"'I intend to do so. Are you going to charge this lady?'
"A grateful sob escaped the woman, produced by the reference to her as a lady no less than by the considerate tone in which it was made.
"'If you're particularly anxious to know,' said the policeman, 'I am going to charge you both.'
"Much amused, our reporter asked, 'What do you charge her with?'
"'First, with drowning her baby; next, with attempting to commit suicide.' He paused in the middle of the sentence to blow his whistle again.
"'Aiding and abetting. Come,' he said to the woman, putting his hand under her chin and attempting to raise her face to the light, 'let me have a look at you. A hundred to one I've seen you before.'
"He was so rough that the woman cried out.
"'Be very careful,' said our reporter, in a warning tone. 'If you use violence it will go against you.'
"'It will go against you,' retorted the policeman, who was losing his discretion.
"'That is to be seen,' said our reporter, gravely, 'when we reach the police-station. Meanwhile, you are acting outside your right in compelling this lady to look you in the face.'
"'Very well,' said the policeman, surlily, beginning to be shaken by the temperate conduct of our reporter, 'I hear assistance coming; I'll wait.'
"The measured tread of another policeman was heard in the near distance. Our reporter stood still, perfectly calm and self-possessed.