It was inevitable in these romantic surroundings and conditions that he should revert to his almost forgotten jealousy. Suppose Spaulding had stumbled upon something…. But he had been asked for no such evidence…. It would be a damnable liberty…. It might be inextricably woven with the business in hand…. There were other men besides Doremus whom Hélène saw constantly…. Spaulding may have seen his chance to nip the thing in the bud, and had taken the risk….
He felt the detective's lips at his ear: "Hear anything? Move a little so's you can look up."
Ruyler heard his wife's voice above him, then Aileen Lawton's. He parted the branches and saw the two girls lean over the low sill of the casement. Both had removed their masks, but their faces were only dimly revealed. Their voices, however, were distinct enough, and his wife's was dull and flat.
"Oh, I can't," she said. "I can't."
"Well, you'll just jolly well have to. You've got it, haven't you?"
"Oh, yes, I've got it!"
"Well, he'll never suspect you."
"I shall tell him."
"Tell him? You little fool. And give us all away?"
"I'd mention no other names."