"I wish you would listen to me!" she cried desperately. "I——"
"It is useless," interrupted Miss Chandler. "I am quite convinced, and nothing she could say would alter my idea, that the safest thing—the only safe plan, in fact—is to confine her until after the marriage. Then the harm that she can do will be little enough, for should she make known all the facts that are in her possession, she would hurt no one so much as the very man whom she has risked so much to save—Lynde Pyne. I am sure that you agree with me."
"I do, indeed."
"That is all that I came to see you for to-day. I feel quite relieved that I know my dear sister to be so well taken care of for the present. She has given me a great deal of concern during the last few weeks, but now my mind will be at rest. Be sure that she does not escape, and should you want to see me about anything, send the message to the old address. Do not risk coming to the house. Good-bye! Do not allow anything to happen to your precious patient."
With a mocking bow to Leonie she left the room, and Ben Mauprat turned his entire attention to Leonie.
He pointed to the door, and thinking that she saw her opportunity, Leonie bowed courteously and walked in the direction he indicated.
It led to the hall.
She had scarcely entered it, than, with a quick bound, she reached the front door.
She would undoubtedly have made good her escape, but that an unfortunate accident happened.
Some one had hold of the knob of the door from the outside, and as she pulled it from within, and some one pushed it from without, it came open with a sudden force that caused her to lose her footing, and she fell headlong.