“Mr. Drake, won’t you help me?” she said and her hands were outstretched towards him in appeal.
In a moment he had clasped them, and their eyes met—his filled with love as he struggled to keep back the passionate words that came near his lips.
“I can do nothing. Mr. Gaunt will not be influenced, for he is deeply hurt, and rightly so, I think. Go back to your sister and persuade her to come here at once. In a few days it will be too late for——”
He stopped and she looked at him anxiously.
“Is John going away? Will it be for a long time?” she asked quickly.
“I can tell you nothing, for it is not my secret.”
“But this wretched police court case. I had forgotten that it was to-day. What has happened?”
“Nothing. A little evidence which was worthless was given, and the case was adjourned until next Thursday. But you may assure your sister that there is no danger to Mr. Gaunt. The worst he did was to shoot Marillier, but it was in self-defense, and he was justified.”
“I agree with you. The man deserved death,” she answered vehemently.
Drake suddenly realized that he was still holding her hands—and a vivid flush came to his cheeks.