He pointed to Macheson, who was standing upon the threshold. Wilhelmina stood between the two.
“Mr. Hurd,” she said, “please control yourself. There is no reason why we should any of us quarrel. Mr. Macheson and I are here to speak to you of a matter in which he has become concerned. I asked him to come here with me. We have come to see you about Letty!”
“What about her?” he demanded, with some attempt at bravado.
“We find that there is an impression in the village that Mr. Macheson is responsible for her disappearance.”
Hurd seized his opportunity without a second’s hesitation.
“How do you know that it isn’t the truth?” he demanded. “He wouldn’t be the first of these psalm-singing missioners who have turned out to be hypocrites!”
Macheson never flinched. Wilhelmina only shrugged her shoulders.
“Mr. Hurd,” she said, “we will not waste time. Mr. Macheson and I are both perfectly aware that you are responsible for Letty’s disappearance.”
“It’s—it’s false!” he declared, swallowing with an effort a more obnoxious word. “Why, I haven’t left the village since the day she went away.”