CHAPTER XVIII
HOW MAISIE JONES REACTED
Mr. Morton turned upon Mary the instant Jack and Maisie Jones were out.
“Mrs. Gardner, how much did Miss Jones learn or guess about you and Jack?” he demanded sharply.
“You saw the scene, you can draw your own conclusions,” replied Mary. “If you wish to know definitely, I suggest you ask Miss Jones.”
“U’m. She didn’t seem to know just what to make of the scene—but I don’t believe she suspected anything. You carried it all off mighty well,—Mrs. Gardner,—mighty well; in fact you saved the situation. Loveman”—with sharp rebuke—“you damned near spilled everything, trying to blurt out your discovery before Miss Jones!”
“That’s once I didn’t stop to think,” apologized Loveman.
“Then suppose you excuse yourself and do some thinking outside. I want a few words with Miss Gilmore—beg pardon, Mrs. Gardner I should say.”
“But—first I’d like a few words with Mr. Loveman,” said Mary,—“alone.”
She stepped out into the corridor ahead of Loveman, walked a few unsteady paces, and turned a corner. This corridor was empty. She halted.
“What did you want to see me about, Mary?” the little lawyer asked nervously.