Under Cover Part 41

"It contained a suggestion that you try to get the room next mine, pleading nervousness, and come here to-night. It was the invitation--of a lover."

"You beast!" she cried, flaming out into rage. "You coward!"

"You had your warning," he reminded her. "The note will be conclusive, and no matter what you say, you will find yourself prejudged. It's the world's way to prejudge. The servants don't seem to be coming, and you'll be found here in the morning. What explanation will you have to offer?" He waited for her to speak, but she made no answer.

"I think the episode of the necklace remains as between just you and me," he added slowly, watching her closely.

"The servants will come," she cried. "I shan't have to stay here."

"If they disappoint you," he remarked, "may I suggest that burglar-alarm? It will wake everybody up, the Harringtons, Miss Rutledge, and all, even if they're in bed and asleep soundly. Why don't you ring it? Miss Cartwright, I _dare_ you to ring it!"

Just then there came the sounds of footsteps in the corridor, then a knock at the door. Denby waited calmly for some word from the girl. The knock was repeated.

"Well," he whispered at last, "why don't you answer?"

She shrank back. "No, no, I can't."

Denby moved to the door. "Who is it?" he asked.

Lambart's respectful voice made answer: "You rang, sir?"

"Yes," he returned, "I forgot to tell you that Miss Cartwright wished to be called at seven. Call me at the same time, too. That's all, Lambart; sorry to have had to disturb you. Good-night."

He stood listening until the man's footsteps died away. Then he turned, and came toward the girl.

"So you didn't dare denounce me after all," he said mockingly.

"Oh, I knew it was all a joke," she said, with an attempt to pa.s.s it over lightly. "I knew you couldn't be so contemptible."

"A joke!" he exclaimed grimly. "Why does it seem a joke?"

"If you'd meant what you'd said, you'd have called Lambart in. That would have answered your purpose very well. But I knew that you'd never do that. I knew you couldn't."

"I'm afraid I shall have less faith hereafter in woman's intuition," he returned. "I can keep you here, and I will. No other course is open to me." A clock outside struck. "It's just three," he observed. "In four hours' time a maid will go to your room and find it empty. It's a long time till then, so why not make yourself as comfortable as you can?

Please sit down."

The girl sank into a chair more because she was suddenly conscious of her physical weakness than for the reason he offered it her in mocking courtesy.

"I can't face it," she cried hysterically; "the disgrace and humiliation! I can't face it!"

"You've got to face it," he said sternly.

"I can't," she repeated. "It's horrible, it's unfair--if you'll let me go, I'll promise you I won't betray you."

"You daren't keep silent about me," he answered. "How can I let you go?"

"I'm telling you the truth," she said simply.

"Then tell me who sent you here," he entreated her. "You know what it means to me; you can guess what it means to you. If you tell me, it may save us both."

"I can't!" she cried. "I can't! Oh, please, please!"

He took her in his arms, roughly, exasperated by her denial.

"By G.o.d, I'll make you tell!" he said angrily.

"Don't touch me," she said shuddering.

"Who sent you here?" he demanded, not releasing her.

"I'm afraid," she groaned. "Oh, I'm afraid. I hate you! I hate you! Let me go! let me go!"

"Who sent you here?" he repeated, still holding her.

"I'll tell," she said brokenly. Then, when he let her go, she sank into a chair. "I can't go through with it--you've beaten me--Oh, I tried so hard, so hard, but you've won. It's too unfair when it's not my fault.

You can't understand, or you wouldn't spoil my whole life like this.

It's not only me, it's my mother, my sister--Amy."

Denby, watching her hardly controllable agitation, was forced to readjust his opinion concerning her. This was not any adventuress trained in artifice and ruse, but the woman he had thought her to be in the deepest sorrow. The bringing in of her mother and sister was not, he felt sure, a device employed merely to gain his sympathy and induce leniency in her captor.

And when it seemed she must sob out a confession of those complex motives which had led her to seek his betrayal, Denby saw her clench her hands and pull herself together.

"No," she said, rising to her feet, her weakness cast off, "I won't quit--no matter what happens to me. I'll expose you, and tell them everything. I'll let them decide between us--whether they'll believe you or me. It's either you or my sister, and I'll save her."

He was now more than ever certain he was stumbling upon something which would bring him the blessed a.s.surance that she had not sold herself for reward.

"Your sister?" he cried eagerly.

"They shan't send her to prison," the girl said doggedly.

"You're doing all this to save your sister from prison?" he asked her gently.

"She depends on me so," she answered dully. "They shan't take her."

"Then you've been forced into this?" he asked. "You haven't done it of your own free will?"

"No, no," she returned, "but what else could I do? She was my little sister; she came first."

"And you weren't lying to me--trying to trick me for money?"

"Can't you see," she said piteously, "that I wanted to save you, too, and wanted you to get away? I said you were innocent, but they wouldn't believe me and said I had to go on or else they'd send Amy to prison.

They have a warrant all ready for her in case I fail. That's why I'm here. Oh, please, please, let me go."

Steven Denby looked into her eyes and made his resolve. "You don't know how much I want to believe in you," he exclaimed. "It may spoil everything I've built on, but I'm going to take the chance." He unlocked the door that led to her room. "You can go, Miss Cartwright!"

"Oh, you are a man, after all," she cried, deep grat.i.tude in her voice, and a relief at her heart she could as yet scarcely comprehend. And as she made to pa.s.s him she was startled by a shrill sharp whistle outside.

"The devil!" he cried anxiously, and ran to the window.