Please explain the nature of the business that led you
to seek me."
"Before I explain my business to you I must exact a promise."
"I am careful about making promises."
"Yes, I know as a detective you are not at liberty to make promises
off-hand, but my case is a very peculiar one."
"What do you wish me to promise?"
"I have a very remarkable disclosure to make; probably one of the most
remarkable disclosures you ever listened to during the whole course of
your professional career. It is a disclosure that will call for very
prompt measures on your part. It is a disclosure that will make you
professionally one of the most famous detective officers in the world."
Oscar stared and wondered what could be the nature of this thrilling
disclosure. He said nothing, but kept upon a line of intense thought,
and the woman proceeding said:
"Some very prominent people will be involved--men who stand high, who
will be torn from their high estate. I am willing that you should
perform your full professional duty, save as concerns one individual,
and I want you to promise that you will save that one individual, though
he may be the most guilty of the whole gang of criminals."
The woman's proposition was suggested, and it was a most remarkable one.
"Can you promise?" she asked.
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