When I read the papers this afternoon, at
first I wanted to rush off to the police and tell them where he had been
while the murder was being committed. But I didn't know how long he had
stopped in your house, and, besides--"
"You would have dared to do that!" I broke in, the blood, angry blood,
stinging my cheeks more hotly than it stung hers.
"It wasn't a question of daring," she answered. "I thought of him more
than of you; but I thought of you, too. I knew that if I were in your
place, no matter how much harm I might do to myself, I would confess
that he had been in my house."
"There are reasons why I can't tell that he was there," I said, trying
to awe her by speaking coldly and proudly. "His visit was entirely on
business. But Mr. Dundas understands why I must keep silence, and he
approves. You know he has remained silent himself."
"For your sake, because he is a gentleman--brave and chivalrous. Would
you take advantage of that?"
"You take advantage of me," I flung back at the girl, looking her up and
down. "You pretend that you came from Mr. Dundas with a pressing message
for me. Do you want me to believe _this_ his message? I think too well
of him.
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