"Not at all, sir; the lady is under my protection, as my client; therefore, in her interest I refuse to reveal her place of residence," Roy coolly responded.
"But she is my wife, and I have a right to know where she is," said the would-be husband, his anger flaming up hotly at being thus balked in his desires.
"Your wife?" repeated the young lawyer, in an incredulous tone, but growing white about the mouth from the effort he made to retain command of himself, as the obnoxious term fell from the villain's lips.
"Certainly—I claim her as such; my right to do so cannot be questioned."
"There may be a difference of opinion regarding that matter," Roy calmly rejoined.
"But we were publicly married on the twenty-fifth."
"Ah! but there are circumstances under which even such a ceremony can have no legal significance."
The fiery Italian was no match for the lawyer in that cool, calm mood, and his anger increased as he realized it.
"But I have my certificate, and can produce plenty of witnesses to prove my statements," he retorted.
"The court will decide whether your evidence is sufficient to substantiate your claim," Mr. Bryant composedly remarked.