“There always has to be a first time,” she substituted in louder tones.
“I don’t know whether you are aware of it, or not, young ladies,” the agent proceeded, “but it is rather a dangerous proceeding to make indiscriminate accusations, as you have just done to me.”
“Danger—dangerous?” faltered Dorothy.
“Exactly!” and the sleek fellow smiled in unctuous fashion. “There is such a thing as criminal libel, you know.”
“But we haven’t published anything!” retorted Tavia. “I—I thought a libel had to be published.”
“The publishing of a libel is not necessarily in a newspaper,” retorted Mr. Akerson. “It may be done by word of mouth, as our courts have held in several cases. I warn you to be careful of what you say.”
“He seems to be well up on court matters,” thought Tavia, taking heart. “I guess he isn’t so innocent as he would like to appear.”
“I would like to know what you young ladies want here?” the agent blurted out.
“Information,” said Tavia, sharply.
“What for?”