"Of course you can. I certainly am going with you."
"Impossible! Your injured foot——"
"Nonsense, it's all right now. I'm going with you," she repeated.
"There are reasons why I must go; so please don't argue about it."
"But that's exactly what I intend to do," declared Kendrick decidedly. He shook his head. "There isn't room in the canoe in the first place and besides there's liable to be trouble. Isn't that so, McCorquodale?"
"Mr. Kendrick, as the representative of the Recorder it is absolutely necessary——"
"I'm sorry, Miss Lawson; but I refuse to take the responsibility."
"I'll assume all risk, Mr. Kendrick."
"You would be in our way, to be frank. We'll be bringing Stiles back here with us and you can wait till we come."
Almost tearfully she appealed to the detective to that worthy's evident embarrassment. Cap in hand, he made a profound and formal bow in an attempt to be diplomatic.
"Pardon me, lady, but you're crazy!" he stated politely. "Crazy as a bed-bug! It can't be did!"