“Tut, tut,” returned Ames easily. “She’s on business, and has my permission to remain. But, by George! that’s a good joke,” winking at Haynerd and breaking into a loud laugh. “You put one over on us there, old man!” he said.
“Father!” Scalding tears of anger and humiliation were streaming down Kathleen’s face. “If she remains, I shall go––I shall leave the house––I will not stay under the same roof with the lewd creature!”
“Very well, then, run along,” said Ames, taking the humiliated Kathleen by the shoulders and turning her about. “I will settle this without your assistance.” Then he motioned to the house detectives to depart, and turned to Haynerd and Carmen. “Come in here,” he said, leading the way to the little waiting room, and opening the door.
“Lord! but you belong down stairs with the rest,” he ejaculated as he faced Carmen, standing before him pale but unafraid. “There isn’t one down there who is in your class!” he exclaimed, placing his hands upon her shoulders and looking down into her beautiful face. “And,” he continued with sudden determination, “I am going to take you down, and you will sit at the table with me, as my special guest!”
A sudden fear gripped Haynerd, and he started to interpose. But Carmen spoke first.
“Very well, Mr. Ames,” she said quietly. “Take me down. I have a question to ask Mr. Wales when we are at the table.”
An expression of surprise and inquiry came into Ames’s face. “Mr. Wales?” he said wonderingly. “You mean Congressman––”
Then he stopped abruptly, and looked searchingly at Carmen and her companion. Haynerd paled. Carmen stood unflinching. Ames’s expression of surprise gave place to one dark and menacing.
“You were behind that screen when Congressman Wales and I––”