"This Mr. Porshinger," she said—"is he particularly vindictive?"
"Vindictive?" was Gladys' puzzled interrogation.
"That is a bit strong, maybe. Unforgiving—unrelenting, is better."
"Why do you ask?" the other inquired.
"I just wanted to know."
"So one would naturally suppose," said Gladys. "However, I did hear a man, whom I consider thoroughly discriminating, say one day recently that he regarded Porshinger as vindictive as an Apache and as cruel, without conscience and without mercy. Is that sufficiently definite?"
"Appallingly so!" Stephanie replied.
"Do you mind telling me who has fallen under his displeasure?"
"I have."
"You!" cried Gladys. "Why you said you didn't even know him—that you had never seen him before to-day."