And for a minute I thought she would die then and there.
"Doctor Pool is a fanatic; he will pursue you until he is assured that the child is in good hands."
"You can assure him of that now."
"Next month his exactions may take another direction. You can never trust a man who thinks he has a mission. Pardon my presumption. No mercenary motive prompts what I am saying now."
"So you intend to publish my story, if I do not?"
I hesitated again. Such questions can not be decided in a moment. Then, with a certain consciousness of doing right, I answered earnestly:
"To no one but to Mr. Ocumpaugh do I feel called upon to disclose what really concerns no one but yourself and him."
Her hands rose toward me in a gesture which may have been an expression of gratitude or only one of simple appeal.
"He is not due until Saturday," I added gently.
No answer from the cold lips. I do not think she could have spoken if she had tried.