Mrs. Delaney refused to say anything except to verify her husband’s story. She was wearing a black lace dress which had been literally torn to pieces in her struggle to free herself from the negro’s assault.

The dead man, ‘Money’ Johnson, was prominent in Harlem gambling circles and had been released only a few days ago after serving three months’ sentence for running a lottery in Harlem.

The explanation of the white woman’s presence in Johnson’s flat was that he had promised to give her a job as hostess in one of his cabarets, and had invited her there to discuss the new position. Mrs. Delaney said that she had been acquainted with him for some time, and that he had always been most courteous to her on every occasion they had met. Therefore she had not expected any trouble when she visited his apartment for the first time.

Delaney, known as the ‘Bearcat’ in the sport world, was at one time a contender for the middle-weight championship. He was booked on a charge of homicide last night. His wife is being held as a material witness. Both will be questioned by the district attorney this morning.

Baldwin threw down the paper and leaped to his feet. He must do something. He felt it was cowardly to let this innocent man take the blame . . . for murder. But . . . after all, it wasn’t his idea. Babe wanted it this way. Perhaps she was right. The disgrace to his family that would come if he gave himself up might kill his father, and it would certainly ruin his sister’s life. No, this perhaps was the better way out. He could help with his money.

If the Bearcat wasn’t freed, then it would be time for him to step in and tell the truth. Babe was right. Sometimes a woman sees things more clearly than a man. A selfish thought ran through his mind when he considered the Bearcat’s sacrifice. How he must love Babe to do that! He wondered if this trouble would bring the two together. Jealousy again gnawed at his vitals.

He left the club, sprang into a cab and was driven across town to the office of one of the best criminal lawyers in the city. He would at least provide Bearcat with the finest array of defense attorneys that his wealth and influence could secure.

Within a half hour, Baldwin was conferring with J. Z. Hallon, famous trial lawyer, in the latter’s luxurious office overlooking Times Square. J. Z. immediately accepted the case. The Baldwin name and position were sufficient guarantee that the case was of unusual interest, not to mention the prominence given the murder in the newspapers. For J. Z. loved the limelight even more than a fat legal fee.