Burton saw his advantage. "I should not care," he answered, "to go through life feeling I had been responsible for turning a dangerous gang loose upon the countryside."
"They are not that, sir. I pledge my word they are not that."
"There is a good deal of evidence against that pledge."
"You doubt my word, sir?"
"I feel there is much more to be explained than you seem willing to admit. For instance, how comes it that you are a—I will not say welcome—but at least assured visitor in my kitchen?"
Reed felt himself coloring. "I do not feel called upon," he replied, "to explain my conduct to any one."
"In that case," said Crane, getting to his feet, "this interview might as well end. I shall leave to-morrow, and if you and your friends, the Revellys, feel yourselves aggrieved, we can only take the matter into court. If the record of these servants is as excellent as you seem to think, they can have nothing to fear. If it isn't, the whole matter will be cleared up."
This was the crisis of the conversation, for as Crane moved to the door, Reed stopped him.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Crane," he said. "There are circumstances in this connection that you do not know."
"Yes, I guessed that much."