“We must save them both,” said Carmen quietly.
“I could make my everlasting fortune out of this!” exclaimed Haynerd excitedly.
“And lose your soul,” replied the girl. “But I will see Mr. Ames, and tell him that we overheard his conversation. He will save us all.”
Haynerd then smiled, but it was a hard smile, coming from one who knew the world. “Listen, my dear girl,” he said, “we will keep quiet, you and I. To mention this would be only to court disaster at the hands of one who would strangle us at the slightest intimation of our knowledge. Can you not see the consequences to us?”
“I can see but the right,” returned Carmen determinedly. “And the right shall prevail!”
“But, my dear girl,” cried Haynerd, now thoroughly alarmed both for himself and her, “he would ruin us! This is no affair of ours. We had no intention of hearing; and so let it be as if we had not heard.”
“And let the lie of evil prevail? No, Mr. Haynerd, I could not, if I would. Mr. Ames is being used by evil; and it is making him a channel to ruin Mr. Wales. Shall I stand idly by and permit it? No!”
She rose, with a look of fixed resolution on her face. Haynerd sprang to his feet and laid a detaining hand upon her arm. As he did so, the screen was quickly drawn aside, and Kathleen Ames and two of her young companions bent their curious gaze in upon them. Absorbed in their earnest conversation, Carmen and Haynerd had not heard the approach of the young ladies, who were on a tour of inspection of the house before supper.
“Reporters for the Social Era, Miss Ames,” explained Haynerd, hastily answering the unspoken question, while he made a courteous bow.
But Kathleen had not heard him. “What––you!” she cried, instantly recognizing Carmen, and drawing back. “How dared you! Oh!”