Then Carl Walraven found voice:
"For God's sake, Mollie, what does this mean?"
Mollie turned to him and held out both hands.
"It means, guardy, that but for the direct interposition of Providence you never would have seen your poor little Cricket again."
And at last Dr. Oleander found his voice.
"That infernal nurse!" he cried between his set teeth. Mollie heard the hissing words and turned upon him like a pale little fury.
"Yes, Guy Oleander, the nurse played you false—fooled you to your face from the first. Came down from New York for no other purpose than to rescue me. And here I am, safe and sound, in spite of you; and the tables are turned, and you are in my power now. Out of this house you never stir except to go to prison."
"Mollie! Mollie! Mollie!" Mr. Carl Walraven cried in desperation, "for the Lord's sake, what do you mean? What has Doctor Oleander done?"
"Carried me off, I tell you—forcibly abducted me. Held me a prisoner for the last two weeks in a desolate old farmhouse over on Long Island. Look at him. Was ever guilt more plainly written on human face? Let him deny it if he can—or you, madame, his accomplice, either."
"I do deny it," Mme. Blanche exclaimed, boldly. "Mollie Dane, you are mad."