A less clever man than Ronald Trent would have lost his temper, for well he knew that he was treading upon dangerous ground. Realizing that the Misses Gates would judge him as much by his manner as by his words, he faced the girls with the calm and dignity of a judge.
“You are only trying to shield yourselves,” he told them sternly. “Your entire story has been a series of lies!”
“Stop!” cried Doris, throwing back her lovely head and looking her accuser straight in the eye. Kitty thought never had she seen her chum quite so beautiful, so courageously poised for one so inexperienced.
“I speak the truth!”
CHAPTER XXIV
FACE TO FACE
“I speak the truth,” Doris insisted indignantly, “and furthermore, Ronald Trent, I am convinced that you are nothing but an impostor. You are plotting with Henry and Cora Sully to swindle these people—out of everything!”
“Doris!” Iris remonstrated.
“She’s lost her mind!” Cora exclaimed.
Thoroughly aroused at the false accusations made against herself and her chum, Doris could not have remained quiet had she wished. However, she forced herself to speak calmly.
“You shall not have a cent of my money when Jake arrives with it,” she told Ronald.