"It is a lie!" shrieked the girl again. "I came hoping to save her —to…."
A storm of angry sobbing choked her.
I could see how the veiled lady was trembling. I placed a chair for her, and she sank into it with a murmur of thanks.
"Besides, we have a witness to her visit," added Godfrey. "Shall I call the police, madame?"
"No, no!" and the girl sat upright again, her face ghastly. "I will tell. I will tell all. Give me but a moment!"
She sat there, struggling for self-control, her streaked and grotesque countenance contorted with emotion. Then I saw her eyes widen, and, glancing around, I saw that Rogers had dragged himself to a sitting posture, and was staring at her, his face livid.
The sight of him seemed to madden her.
"It was you!" she shrieked, and shook her clenched fist at him. "It was you who told! Coward! Coward!"
But Godfrey, his face very grim, laid a heavy hand upon her arm.
"Be still!" he cried. "He told us nothing! He tried to shield you —though why he should wish to do so…."