Perhaps she felt humiliated in his presence because she had let him see her weakness, jealousy of her husband’s affection.
Then, again, if she were guilty she might fear him because he was a detective and Joe’s friend.
He suspended judgment and resolved to study this fair creature more closely than he had as yet had a chance to do.
CHAPTER XIV
ANOTHER LINK IN THE CHAIN
All these things had flashed through Darrell’s mind with a rapidity that lightning alone could equal, for there is nothing more rapid than thought.
He maintained his suave manner.
“I have come this morning, Mrs. Leslie, for several things. In the first place I wish to congratulate you on the fact that Joe’s terrible secret, as I made it out, was after all so simple a thing. Your wifely trust and devotion had their reward and I can appreciate the feeling of satisfaction you now possess because of your trust which I could not wholly beat down, in spite of the proofs I brought, and which must have appeared ‘strong as holy writ’.”
This was artful of Eric—he thought to destroy the barrier by a little flattery, knowing all the while that Lillian had really been jealous.
It told too.