Then the two officers of the law stopped and looked at each other.

“Before proceeding further in our search, we must be sure as the stolen goods are not in this room,” said Pryor.

“I don’t know where they can be concealed in this room,” said Thompson.

“We must apply our infallible square inch rule, now.  Take the inside of this room from floor to ceiling, and search in succession every square inch of it.  No matter whether the part under review seems a likely or an unlikely, or even a possible or an impossible place of concealment, search it whether or no.  Stolen goods are often found in impossible places, or in what seems to be such,” said Pryor.

The search was re-commenced on the new principle, and following the square inch system into an impossible place, they at last came upon the stolen treasure, hidden in the hollow of the cornice at the top of the scarlet window curtains, near the bedstead.

“Here we are! all right!  The jewel snuff box, and the solitaire diamond ring.  The watch and chain will be found upon her person.  This will be sufficient for to-day.  We must close and seal these rooms, and place a couple of men on guard here before we take the girl to the station-house,” said Pryor, as he carefully bestowed the recovered jewels in the deep breast-pocket of his coat.

The two officers returned to the parlor, where they found Perkins sitting by the prisoner, who was now pallid and quiet, merely because she had raged herself into a state of exhaustion.

“Go and fetch a close cab, Thompson.  And you, good woman, fetch your missus’ hat and wraps, and whatever else you may think she will need to go to the Police Station-House, and spend the night there.  I will also trouble you for that watch and chain, my dear,” said Pryor, turning lastly to his prisoner.

“I will na gie my bonny watch!  And I will na gae to your filthy station-house, ye—!”

Whew!  Inspector Pryor was used to storms of abuse from female prisoners, and could stand them well on most occasions; but now he turned as from a shower of fire, and walked rapidly to the window, while Perkins forcibly took from her the watch and chain, and put them for the present into his own pocket.

Thompson came in to announce the cab, and the housekeeper entered with her mistress’s hat and shawl, and a small bundle tied up in a handkerchief.

But Rose stormed and wept, and utterly refused either to put on the hat and shawl, or to enter the cab.  Nor could any amount of pursuasion or threats move her obstinacy until she found that the officers of the law were about to take her by force, and without her proper out-door dress.

Then, indeed, she yielded to the coaxing of her housekeeper, and allowed the old woman to prepare her for her compulsory drive.

When she was ready, Inspector Pryor would have escorted her down stairs, but she shook off his hand with angry scorn, and with an expletive that made even his case-hardened ears burn and tingle again.