“I don’t want to hear any explanation,” cried the old man angrily. “I know quite enough. Will you come home with me?”
“Yes!” she cried eagerly, and Leslie drew a breath full of relief. “No!”
The negative came like a cry of agony.
“I cannot, uncle, I cannot.”
“I’ll see about that,” cried the old man. “Now, Leslie, ask Sergeant Parkins to step up here.”
“Let him if he dares!” cried Pradelle fiercely.
“Oh, he dares,” said Uncle Luke, smiling. “Call him up, for it is a criminal case, after all.”
“Stop!” cried Pradelle, as Leslie laid his hand upon the door.
“Yes, stop—pray, pray stop!” cried Louise in agony; and with a wild look of horror, which stung Leslie with jealous rage. “Uncle, you must not do this.”
“I’d do it if it was ten times as hard?” cried the old man.