“No; I had anticipated that. I was quite prepared for such an attempt on your part, without the assurance of it from your lips. You have not abandoned your desire to possess yourself of the Lynne millions?�
“I never abandon a course upon which I have once embarked,� she replied. “And that brings me to the point which I came here to determine.�
The detective did not reply. She continued:
“I suppose you will consider it your duty to warn him against me, Mr. Carter?�
“If I find that he is really the man he says he is, and that you have sought him and made his acquaintance, I most certainly shall do so, madam.�
“I have not sought his acquaintance—because I have not had the opportunity,â€� she retorted.
“But you will lose no opportunity to make his acquaintance.�
“No; I shall not. I will even seek him—and—take warning from what I shall say to you now, Nick Carter.â€�
The detective inclined his head mockingly. She continued:
“And when I have sought him and found him and have made his acquaintance, I will put to the test the influence which you and Benjamin Oaks may exert over him, as against that which I shall win in spite of all that you can do, in spite of the hateful reputation you and the district attorney have given me, in spite of all the cruel things that have been printed about me.� And then she took still another step nearer to him, and added, in a low tone that was almost a whisper: “In spite of heaven and hell.�