“You mean to tell me that he was married before?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Where?”
“In Chicago to a woman by the name of Mary. She was a cousin of mine.”
“Oh, God!” The low cry burst from Juliet’s pale lips before she could recover herself, and Stelton lay back in his chair, feeding his unspeakable nature upon the girl’s torture.
“Shall I tell you about it?” Caldwell, seeing 262 his former chief was pleased, now took the initiative.
“Oh, no, no!” she cried frantically. “I don’t want to hear. I never want to hear!”
For a few moments there was silence in the low, bare room while Juliet recovered herself. Then she said:
“And about that other thing in the letter. Why are the officers after Bud?”
“For forgery, ma’am. That is, I mean, they would be after him if they knew everything.” A cunning smirk crossed Smithy’s countenance.