"Do you believe that?" he asked.
The accusation uttered, sick uncertainty gripped and tossed her again.
"I don't know what to believe."
"But how can you think I would be capable of such things? The girl lied."
Her judgment swayed dizzily. Between word and word she was now for and now against him.
"I can't think of any motive that this girl might have to lie," she said.
"How do you know what motive she has?" returned Dyker, realizing in what good stead his training as a pleader of bad cases might stand him. "How do you know what political enemies of mine may have sent her to you? You say that, on her own confession, she is a vile woman——"
"I did not say that."
"You said she charged herself with being part of this alleged business. You confessed that you were disappointed in her personally. What possible credit can be given to the story of a woman that begins by admitting such abominations?"
Marian tried to speak, but indecision choked her.