If so—if the man were a mountebank the sooner they both found it out—the sooner all the world knew it, the better.
If, on the other hand, he was innocent, he should have his chance.
The older woman went to the side of the pleading figure.
The surprise of her discovery crisped her voice so that it was short and commanding.
"Get up, Sylvia," she said. "The sheriff must search. He must do his duty. We have no right to prevent it."
Obedient to the authoritative tone, the girl arose.
"Now, gentlemen, you may search," Marcia said.
Neither Elisha Winslow nor his companion had cause now to complain of any lack of dignity in the law's fulfillment.
As if she were a magistrate seeing justice done, Marcia, magnificent in silence, towered above them while they stooped to perform their task. Her face was pale, her lips tightly set.
The brick was lifted out.