“Oh, Mr. Irvin, your courage is wonderful,” replied Margaret earnestly. “But he”—she hastily corrected herself—“everybody is convinced that Rita is safe. Under some strange misapprehension regarding this awful tragedy she has run away into hiding. Probably she has been induced to do so by those interested in preventing her from giving evidence.”
Monte Irvin’s eyes lighted up strangely. “Is that the opinion of the Home office agent?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Inspector Kerry shares it,” declared Irvin. “Please God they are right.”
“It is the only possible explanation,” said Margaret. “Any hour now we may expect news of her.”
“You don’t think,” pursued Monte Irvin, “that anybody—anybody—suspects Rita of being concerned in the death of Sir Lucien?”
He fixed a gaze of pathetic inquiry upon her face.
“Of course not!” she cried. “How ridiculous it would be.”
“Yes,” he murmured, “it would be ridiculous.”
Margaret stood up.