“I remember.”
“You remember, too, begging the young lady’s pardon, that the old lady was your near kin.”
These words were like a spark to a magazine, and the next moment Opal broke forth:
“It’s the same old blackmailing scheme, father. You shall not listen to it.”
“Calm yourself, Miss Lamont——”
“I am calm enough now. You shall not introduce such subjects in this house. We do not recognize the old hag who was killed, perhaps righteously, in the place called Hell’s Kitchen. You must talk about another matter if you want to remain here.”
Perry Lamont looked crushed and almost helpless in his chair.
He glanced at his daughter, and then toward the door leading into the hall.
“Where’s Claude?” he asked.
“He is not in just now,” answered Opal.