“You have placed yourself in a position where you are liable to criminal prosecution,” he says sternly.
The woman laughs scornfully.
“You would not dare proceed against me,” she says.
“And why?”
“Because my sweet mistress would have to testify in court, and expose her own actions. I know them to be entirely innocent—that her motives were actuated by the holiest feelings of the heart, but the public would choose to believe otherwise. And to defend myself I would have to unearth family secrets that would make the name of Samson Cereal the talk of the town. Now, will you prosecute, sir?”
“We shall be content if you leave your place in the morning,” replies Aleck discreetly.
CHAPTER XII.
THE PROTECTORATE ABANDONED.
Dorothy is recovering; already she has moved, and it is evident that the influence of the drug, whatever it may have been, is wearing away. The jolting of the carriage may have something to do with her coming back to her senses, for they have not yet struck the boulevard pavement of Michigan Avenue, and the street is in bad order.
“Oh, where am I?” she suddenly cries out.