“Why is the door of her bedroom locked? Why is it locked—locked?”
The stillness of the crepuscular hall seemed to palpitate with the woman’s breath.
“Miss Haden must have locked it when she went out,” she stammered.
“Is that the truth?” Michael demanded. “It’s not the truth. It’s a lie. You wouldn’t be panting like a fish in a basket, unless there was something wrong. I’ll break the door in.”
“No, Mr. Fane, don’t do that!” the woman groaned out, in a cracked expostulation. “This is the first time since you’ve been away. And it was an old friend.”
“How dare you tell me anything about him? Guy! Guy!”
Michael rushed into the big room and dragged Guy out.
“Come away, come away, come away! I’ve been sold!”
“If you’d only listen a moment. I could——” Miss Harper began.
Michael pushed her out of their path.