When the car stopped she jumped out, avoiding Riever's offered assistance. Riever said to the chauffeur:
"You needn't wait. I'll walk back."
Pen was horribly afraid. Her instinct was to dart through the door, slam it in his face, and turn the key. But flight was too abject. If she yielded him ascendancy like that, she could never get it back again. She said to herself while her teeth chattered: "I'm not afraid of him! I'm not afraid of him! If I stand my ground I have nothing to fear!"
The car went back. Riever stepped up on the porch by the two boxes, his head sunk. Pen stood there.
"You tricked me!" he said with a violent gesture, but taking care not to raise his voice. "You said he'd gone from here! He's been here ever since! You're hiding him now! What did you go to town for to-day? What was in those packages you made me bring home in my car, a disguise for him?"
Pen was not dismayed by this. On the contrary as soon as he began to speak the man lost his curious, animal, impressiveness. Seeing him beside himself, Pen began to feel strong again.
"I left the packages in the boat," she said scornfully. "No doubt by this time Delehanty has examined them."
"What is this man to you?" demanded Riever.
"I've already told you. No more than any poor hunted creature."
"If you lied once you can lie again!"