“Nor do I want to!” Olive’s eyes blazed. “Because I found it necessary to evade my guardian’s espionage now and then you needn’t think I am unable to tell the truth! I have no idea where Mr. Manning is, and I am exceedingly anxious lest some harm has befallen him. If you can find him you will be doing me a great favor.”
“Are you engaged to him, Miss Raynor?”
“No, I am not, though I do not concede your right to ask that question. Mr. Manning and I are good friends, that is all.”
“Mr. Gately did not approve of his attentions to you?”
“He did not, and that was why I refrained from telling of occasions when I saw or might see Mr. Manning at his sister’s house. If that is of interest to you, I’ve no objections to your knowing it.”
“Can you fire a pistol, Miss Raynor?”
I perceived it was Hudson’s method to take her by surprise, and so, perhaps, learn something from an answer given off her guard.
“Yes,” she replied, promptly, “I am a good shot; why?”
Her wondering eyes were fearless, now, and to me it seemed a proof of her entire innocence that she showed no embarrassment at this inquiry.
But Hudson evidently thought differently. He looked accusingly at her, and continued, “Do you own a pistol?”