"This suspense," he said jerkily, "this suspense is so hard to bear."
"Oh, Mr. Irvin, your courage is wonderful," replied Margaret
earnestly. "But he"--she hastily corrected herself--"everybody is
convinced that Rita is safe. Under some strange misapprehension
regarding this awful tragedy she has run away into hiding. Probably
she has been induced to do so by those interested in preventing her
from giving evidence."
Monte Irvin's eyes lighted up strangely. "Is that the opinion of the
Home office agent?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Inspector Kerry shares it," declared Irvin. "Please God they are
right."
"It is the only possible explanation," said Margaret. "Any hour now we
may expect news of her."
"You don't think," pursued Monte Irvin, "that anybody--anybody--
suspects Rita of being concerned in the death of Sir Lucien?"
He fixed a gaze of pathetic inquiry upon her face.
"Of course not!" she cried. "How ridiculous it would be."
"Yes," he murmured, "it would be ridiculous."
Margaret stood up.
"I am quite relieved now that I have done what I conceived to be my
duty, Mr. Irvin," she said. "And, bad as the truth may be, it is
better than doubt, after all. You must look after yourself, you know.
When Rita comes back we shall have a big task before us to wean her
from her old habits.
Pages:
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293