Pen’s eyes dilated slightly, and the color left her face, as she made some excuse for leaving the room. Kurt followed, intercepting her in the hallway.
“This Hebler is some one you have met before?” he asked, looking at her keenly.
“Yes; did I show it so plainly? I don’t want to see him, or let him know I am here.”
“You are afraid of him?”
“Y-e-s.”
“He has some power over you—the power to take you away?”
“Yes; a power prior to yours.”
“A legal one?”
“Yes.”
“You can keep to your room,” he said reassuringly. “That is, for the afternoon. Westcott has invited Mr. Kingdon and this man to dinner and for cards afterward. You can easily stay away from the breakfast room in the morning. I think he is going to leave in a day or so. I’ll think up some excuse for your not appearing.”