Anita looked baffled, but after a moment’s pause, she said, “Do you think I killed Doctor Waring?”
“I know you didn’t,” broke in Fibsy, with enthusiasm. “Now, come across, Miss Austin, and I’ll bet you F. Stone can dope out the whole game.”
“I know most of the circumstances already,” Stone smiled, and followed up the small advantage he had gained. “You came over here late, secretly, across the snowy field. Doctor Waring let you in?”
“Yes,” Anita breathed the word, and her starry eyes never left Stone’s face. She seemed almost hypnotized.
“Then you sat down in the chair you’re in now, and he locked the door—why did he do that?”
“I don’t know—he didn’t! Stop! You have no right to torment me like this! I have counsel—Mr. Trask here is my lawyer. Let him tell me what to do!”
Her nerves were tense, and her little fingers were continually twisting round themselves. Her face was agonized, and Stone felt as if he were guilty of utter cruelty. But he must go on.
“Mr. Trask cannot tell what he does not know,” he said, coldly. “I am in authority, you must answer me. Did Doctor Waring give you the money and the ruby pin?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Why?”