“Why?”
“I wasn’t absolutely certain—I’ve kept quiet since, because I could not bear to betray Marjorie.”
Calderon Fordyce broke the tense silence.
“Miss Marjorie, can you deny my daughter’s statement?”
Marjorie was ghastly as she straightened up and faced her accusers; Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper and Pauline openly triumphant, Calderon Fordyce, stern, unbending; and Janet, pitying. Janet’s features were strangely like and unlike Duncan’s, and the elusive likeness haunted Marjorie.
Twice she strove to speak.
“Oh, what’s the use?” she cried, and laughing hysterically, fled from the room.
CHAPTER XX
WATCHFUL WAITING
“Can I see Dr. Potter?” inquired Duncan, handing his visiting-card to Mrs. Walbridge’s butler.
“Mr. Fordyce, sir?” interrogatively, and Duncan nodded assent. “The Doctor is waiting for you, sir. Please step this way”—but before they reached the drawing-room, Paul Potter appeared in the hall.