As Beth went out of the door he whispered in her ear, "Say nothing of this—to any one."
She nodded gravely and followed the man who had preceded her.
When the door closed behind Beth and the chauffeur, Peter turned quickly and faced the housekeeper.
"Now," he said severely, "tell me the truth."
She stared at him with a falling jaw in a moment of alarm—then closed her lips firmly. And, as she refused to reply,
"Do you want me to tell Mr. McGuire that you were talking to a stranger at the kitchen door?"
She trembled and sinking in a chair buried her face in her hands.
"I don't want to be unkind, Mrs. Bergen, but there's something here that needs explaining. Who was the man you talked to outside the door?"
"I—I can't tell ye," she muttered.
"You must. It's better. I'm your friend and Beth's——"