"It is not, and you shall not get it."

"Paul—Mr. Beecot will assert my rights."

"Will he indeed," said the other, with a glance at the clock; "we'll see about that. There's no time to be lost. I have much to say—"

"Nothing that can interest me."

"Oh, yes. I think you will find our conversation very interesting. I am going to be open with you, for what I tell you will never be told by you to any living soul."

"If I see fit it shall," cried Sylvia in a rage; "how dare you dictate to me."

"Because I am driven into a corner. I wish to save my mother—how it is to be done I don't know. And I wish to stop you getting the five thousand a year. I know how that is to be done," ended Miss Krill, with a cruel smile and a flash of her white, hungry-looking teeth; "you rat of a girl—"

"Leave the room."

"When I please, not before. You listen to me. I'm going to tell you about the murder—"

"Oh," said Sylvia, turning pale, "what do you mean?"