"But I am not the police," came next in petulant tones.
"Exactly! And not being the police you are out of your province, when investigating a matter supposed to be criminal." Barnes learned two things: first that the Doctor would not lose his temper, and therefore would not be likely to betray himself by revealing anything beyond what his companion might already know; and second, that she knew little as to his relation with Mabel Sloane. This was not very promising, yet he still hoped that something might transpire, which would repay all the trouble that he had taken. The woman spoke again quickly.
"Then you are not going to explain this thing to me?"
"Certainly not, since you have not the right to question me."
"I have not the right? I, whom you expect to marry? I have not the right to investigate your relations with other women?"
"Not with one who is dead!"
"Dead or alive, I must know what this Mabel Sloane was to you, or else——" She hesitated.
"Or else?" queried the Doctor, without altering his tone.
"Or else I will not marry you."
"Oh! Yes, you will!" replied the Doctor, with such a tone of certainty that his companion became exasperated and stamped her feet as she replied in anger: