"Yes, Lionel, you have guessed right."
It was an unutterable relief that he thus made the way easy for her; a relief—but she now knew that what Gifford had told her was true.
"He wants me to get everyone away from here to-day," she went on, in a tone so low that he could scarcely hear her.
"Away from here? To-day?" he repeated, startled.
"Yes, away before to-morrow midday." She moistened her dry lips with her tongue.
"I am the victim of a foul conspiracy!" he exclaimed. "Panton warned me that I should have trouble with that woman." He waited a moment, then: "Did Gifford tell you that they have sent for Panton?" he asked suddenly. So that, she told herself, was what had really put him on the track. She nodded, and he added grimly: "They won't get much out of him."
Then he was going to fight it—fight it to the last?
"You will stand my friend, Blanche," he asked, and slowly she bent her head.
"Of course you know what this woman Pigchalke wishes to prove?"
He was now looking keenly, breathlessly, into her pale, set face. "Come," he said, "come, Blanche—don't be so upset! Tell me exactly what it was that Gifford told you."