“Directions? What do you mean?”
“I guess that doesn’t matter, does it?” he asked. “Don’t let us waste time. See here, my girl, the game’s up! Now that letter––I want that. It will be evidence when I need it. He’s broken his bargain. I mean to take the advantage I’ve got.”
Mary-Clare stared at Rivers in helpless amazement––but her fingers closed more firmly upon the note.
“When he––he bought you––he promised me that he’d never see you again. He wanted you free––for yourself. Free!” Larry flung his head back and indulged in a harsh laugh. “I got the Point––he bought the Point and you! Paid high for them, too, but he’ll pay higher yet before I get through with him.”
Mary-Clare sat very quiet; her face seemed frozen into an expression of utter bewilderment. That, and the memory of her as she had stood at the door a few moments ago, maddened Rivers and he ruthlessly proceeded to batter down all the background that had stood, in Mary-Clare’s life, as a plea for her loyalty, faith, and gratitude.
“Do you know why my father kept me from home and put you in my place?” he demanded.
“No, Larry.”
“He was afraid of me––afraid of himself. He left me to others––and others helped me along. Others like Maclin who saw my ability!” Again Larry gave his mirthless, ugly laugh and this time Mary-Clare shuddered.
She made no defence for her beloved doctor––the father of the man before her. She simply braced herself to bear the blows, and she shuddered because she intuitively felt that Larry was in no sense realizing his own position; he was so madly seeking to destroy that of others.