‘That is very interesting,’ said Merton. ‘Now, I won’t pretend that I disguised myself in this way merely to ask you about Australian curiosities. The truth is that, in your father’s interests, I must have an interview with him.’
‘You don’t mean to do him any harm?’ asked the girl anxiously.
‘I have given you my word of honour. As things stand, I do not conceal from you that I am the only person who can save him from a situation which might be disagreeable, and that is what I want to do.’
‘He will be quite safe if he sees you?’ asked the girl, wringing her hands.
‘That is the only way in which he can be safe, I am afraid.’
‘You would not use a girl against her own father?’
‘I would sooner die where I sit,’ said Merton earnestly. ‘Surely you can trust a friend of Mr. Logan’s—who, by the bye, is very well.’
‘Oh, oh,’ cried the girl, ‘I read that story of the stolen corpse in the papers. I understand!’
‘It was almost inevitable that you should understand,’ said Merton.
‘But then,’ said the girl, ‘what did you mean by saying that my father has done you a great service. You are deceiving me. I have said too much. This is base!’ Miss Markham rose, her eyes and cheeks burning.