Dale looked dumbly at her aunt.

Her answers must seem the height of reckless folly to Miss Cornelia--oh, if there were only someone who understood! Anderson resumed his grilling.
"Now I mean to find out two things," he said, advancing upon Dale.

"Why you did not call for help--and what you have done with that blue-print." "Suppose I could find that piece of blue-print for you ?" said Dale desperately.

"Would that establish Jack Bailey's innocence ?" The detective stared at her keenly for a moment.
"If the money's there--yes." Dale opened her lips to reveal the secret, reckless of what might follow.

As long as Jack was cleared--what matter what happened to herself?
But Miss Cornelia nipped the heroic attempt at self-sacrifice in the bud.
She put herself between her niece and the detective, shielding Dale from his eager gaze.
"But her own guilt!" she said in tones of great dignity.