"To be sure he is."
"And therefore—and therefore—there had better be no investigation."
"Why?" asked Mr. Ravensworth, scarcely above his breath.
"Because he does not wish it," she answered, bending her face downwards. "He forbade me to call in aid, or to suffer it to be called in; and, as I say, he is my husband. Will you stop those men in their search? will you send them away?"
"I do not think I have power to do so."
"You can forbid them in Lord Level's name. I give you full authority: as he would do, were he capable of acting. Arnold, I will have them out of the house. I will."
"What is it that you fear from them?"
"I fear—I cannot tell you what I fear. They might question me."
"And if they did?—you can only repeat to them what you told me."
"No, it must not be," she shivered. "I—I—dare not let it be."