"What is it, Mona?" Ray inquired, as he went to her side. "You may be very sure that I will second your wishes if they are wise and do not interfere in any way with your interests."
Mona briefly repeated what she had already proposed to the lawyers, and
Ray immediately responded that it was also his wish and his father's that
as far as they were concerned all public proceedings against Mrs.
Montague should be suspended.
"Come with me to another room where we can converse more freely," he added, "for I have a proposition to make to you in my father's name. Mr. Rider," raising his voice and addressing the detective, "will you allow Mrs. Montague to remain alone with Miss Dinsmore for a little while, as I wish to confer with you upon a matter of importance?"
The detective took a swift survey of the room before answering. It was evident that he had no intention of allowing his captive to escape him now after all his previous efforts to secure her.
"Yes," he replied, "I will go with you into the hall, if that will do."
He knew that in the hall he should be able to keep his eyes upon both doors of the drawing-room, and no one could pass in and out without his knowing it, while there was no other way of egress.
The four gentlemen accordingly withdrew, thus leaving Mona and Mrs.
Montague by themselves.
Mona seated herself by a window, and as far as possible from the woman, for she shrank with the greatest aversion from her, while she felt that her own presence must be oppressive and full of reproach to her.
But the woman's curiosity was for the moment greater than her anxiety or remorse, and after a brief silence, she abruptly inquired:
"How did that detective find that box of diamonds?"