“‘Judith,’ Bernard Peixada went on, still all a-tremble, ’have you—have you taken any papers out of my safe?’
“What use could lying serve at this crisis? There was sufficient evil in action now, without my adding answered, ’Yes—I have taken the paper you are looking for.’
“Bernard Peixada had manifestly not expected such an answer. It took him aback. He stood, silent and motionless, glaring at me in astonishment. His mouth gaped open, and the lamplight played with his teeth.
“Edward Bolen muttered, ’Eh! what did I tell you?’
“But Bernard Peixada stood motionless and silent only for a breathing-space. Suddenly flames leaped to his eyes, color to his cheek. I shall not an ineffectual lie to it. I drew a long breath, and transcribe the volley of epithets that I had now to sustain from his foul mouth. His frame was rigid with wrath. His voice mounted from shrill to shriller. He spent himself in a tirade of words. Then he sank into a chair, unable to keep his feet from sheer exhaustion. The veins across his forehead stood out like great, bloated leeches. His long, black finger-nails kept tearing the air.
“Edward Bolen waited.
“So did I.
“But eventually Bernard Peixada recovered his forces. Springing to his feet, looking hard at me, and pronouncing each word with an evident attempt to control his fury, he said, ’We have no time to waste upon you just now, madam. Bolen, here, has business to transact which he must needs be about. Afterward I shall endeavor to have an understanding with you. At present we will dispose of the matter of prime importance. You don’t deny that you have stolen a certain paper from my safe. I wish you at once, without an instant’s delay or hesitation, to tell us what you have done with that paper. Where have you put it?’
“I tried to be as calm as he was. ’I will not tell you,’ I replied.
“A smile that was ominous contracted his lips.