“And yet I am innocent; as innocent as you are, Nick Carter.�
The detective shrugged his shoulders.
“Am I to understand that you will not persecute me in the future?� she demanded.
“I have never persecuted any person in my life, Mrs. Babbington. I do not pretend to understand your persistence upon that word.�
“I mean this: If I remain in this city, and undertake to live my life out here, will I be constantly under espionage by you and your agents? Am I to be left to go my own way, without molestation, or am I to be hounded, watched, imposed upon, spied upon, and——â€�
“Enough, madam. It makes no sort of difference to me where you stay or what you do, so long as you remain outside the law—and, incidentally, outside this house. I think the present interview has lasted quite long enough, Mrs. Babbington.â€�
“Which is another form of requesting me to go, Mr. Carter?� she asked, with a smile on her lips, although her eyes flamed dangerously as she put the question.
“Yes,� he replied, without comment.
She stepped toward the door, and he drew to one side to permit her to pass him.
At the door she stopped, and with her hand upon the knob turned to face him again, although his back was half turned toward her. And she laughed softly, showing her white and beautiful teeth, and permitting the lids of her eyes to droop until the yellow-brown irises glowed through the shading lashes like two living coals of fire.