At that instant Clifford realized that his supreme interest was centered upon that trapped figure in the next room—and that his supreme efforts would have as their chief object the extrication of Mary Regan from whatever crisis might be about to develop. But at the same time Clifford realized that his duty demanded that he hold himself in check, and allow Loveman to reveal the details of his plan by action, and then catch him in the act. He would then have evidence—real evidence.
“Are you coming, Jack?” Mary was saying quietly.
“Go on with her, Jack,” Nina Cordova taunted him. “None of us believed you had the nerve really to go through with what you were bragging about!”
“Man’s got ri’ do wha’ever he pleases—got ri’ have li’l’ fun,” Jack said obstinately, his eyes still fixed on Mary.
“Are you coming, Jack?” she repeated in the same quiet voice.
He wavered. Clifford sensed that the young fellow’s finer instincts were trying to struggle through the murk of his being; and mixed with his disgust he felt a pity for this likable weakling who had been brought to this low estate.
“All ri’,” Jack said sullenly, and started to leave the table.
“One moment, Jack,” cut in the soft, even voice of Loveman—and Clifford saw Loveman give Mary a quick, vindictive glance. “Before you go with her, Jack, I think you ought to know who she is. I only just now found out myself. Her name is Mary Regan, all right, but she comes of a crook family, and she herself has been a confidence-woman and all-around adventuress. She married you solely to do you out of your money. Ask her to deny it!”
“It’s true, Jack. But—”
“Understand now why she wanted to keep your marriage secret?” Loveman cut in. “Plain enough: she knew that if it were generally known that you had married her, you would quickly learn the truth about her and that would finish her game. And that self-sacrifice business in letting your father believe that she was your mistress, all in order to protect you—can’t you see that she was really doing it to protect herself, and protect her own little scheme for playing you along as a sucker? Want to go along with her now, do you, so she can soak you some more?”