“Are you Miss Mary Blyth?”
“I am, Mr. Slaughter knows I am.”
“My name is Paine, Frank Paine. I am a solicitor. If you are the Mary Blyth I am in search of I have a communication to make to you of considerable importance.”
“Then make it outside, sir.” This was Mr. Slaughter.
The porter appeared at the door.
“What’s the meaning of this, Sanders? Didn’t I tell you to see this young woman off the premises?”
“I was just seeing her, sir, when she slipped off before I knew it.”
I flashed round at Sanders.
“You’ve assaulted me once, don’t you dare to assault me again; this gentleman’s a solicitor. If you’re a solicitor, Mr. Paine, I want you to help me. Because I was accidentally prevented from returning till a few minutes after time last night, Mr. Slaughter wishes to send me away at a moment’s notice, without a character.”
“Is that the case, Mr. Slaughter?”