"You refuse to answer?"
"I—must refuse." She thought of her promise to Hester.
"My dear child," interposed Bunchester kindly. "I'm sure you are actuated by the most honorable motives, but this is a case where the whole truth must be told."
"Go ahead, Betty; tell what you know," urged Bob.
"I—I——" she began weakly, but rallied with a flash of anger. "I'll not be questioned like this." Her pride and fighting spirit were stirred now. The idea that she was actually accused of stealing this money or of being an accomplice in the theft—it was outrageous, preposterous. Very well, if they thought her guilty they could keep on thinking so.
"I have made a serious charge here," Grimes proceeded quietly, "and I propose to prove it." He turned sharply to the girl. "Whose desk is that?"
"My desk," she answered.
The detective examined the drawers carefully. They were all unlocked except the top one on the left-hand side.
"You keep this drawer locked?"
"Usually."