Just then there was need of quick thought, and action must follow on its heels.
Hardly had the woman paused upon the corner than a dark figure sprang out of the shadows near by.
“Paul!” she whispered.
“Good heavens! you are ten minutes ahead of time, darling. I would have met you at the place appointed had—” the rush of a train drowned what else he said.
Then the detective saw him assist the now shrinking figure toward the carriage.
“He will be furious,” he heard her say, as she looked apprehensively around, as though anticipating the appearance of an enraged husband on the scene.
If these were her sensations now, what of the future—remorse must soon kill her.
“He had better keep his hands off, or I will teach him a lesson! The cowardly cur, to bully you so. Enter, darling—you are safe with me.”
Eric’s first impulse was for blood.
He felt strongly inclined to spring forward and grapple with this boaster, who breathed such lies of Joe in his wife’s ears.