"I had no idea of discharging you until I discovered your treachery," protested Hendle sharply. "It's your own fault and----"
"Mrs. Beatson's future can be settled later," interrupted Carrington at this point of the argument. "Just now she must answer me some questions."
"I shan't!" raged the woman, furious at her humiliating position. "It's all your fault that I have lost my----"
"If you don't answer," interrupted the barrister again, "I shall hand you over to Kensit to be taken to Lawson at Tarhaven."
"You wouldn't dare. Mr. Hendle wouldn't let you."
"Oh, yes, I should," said Rupert sternly. "I'm not going to play fast and loose with the law."
Mrs. Beatson's sour face became gray and pinched. "I know nothing about the matter, more than I have told you," she cried, greatly terrified at the prospect of being locked up. "I told Mr. Mallien about the will, and I dug it up when I got that letter."
"When did you tell Mr. Mallien?" asked Rupert, remembering how he had intended to put this question before and had not.
"On the day after I overheard the conversation," whimpered the housekeeper, very much subdued.
"When I was in London?"