"Aw, Matt, let's have the girl in here. We can't get nothing from these stiff-necked idiots."
"Might as well," agreed Lisner in a tone that tried to be contemptuous but trembled. "We're wasting time here."
"Lisner," said the Major in his gentlest tone, "be well advised and leave my daughter be."
"And if I don't?" sneered Lisner. He had no real desire to question Stella, but welcomed the change of venue as a diversion from his late indiscretion. "If, in the performance of my duty, I put a few civil questions to Miss Vorhis—in the presence of her father, mind you—then what?"
"But you won't!" said the Major softly.
"Do you know, Sheriff, I think the Major has the right idea?" said
Pringle. "We won't bother the young lady."
"Who's going to stop me?"
Anastacio, in his turn, brought his chair to the floor, at the same time unclasping his hands from behind his head.
"I'll do that little thing, Sheriff," he announced mildly. "Miss Vorhis has already told us that she has not seen Foy since yesterday noon. That is quite sufficient."
Silence.