Shirley smiled a grim smile.
"Murgatroyd, the man with a price! Well, I suppose it's just as well that there are people in this world who can be bought now and then."
"I have never forgiven myself," sighed Miriam.
Shirley looked up at her questioningly.
"You? What for, pray?"
"For blurting out in the court-room what I did when the jury found Laurie guilty. Why, it was abominable! it was treachery! I had promised, don't you see?"
"That was clever in Murgatroyd," admitted Shirley. "He would have been a fool to acquit Laurie on that trial. Oh, yes," she added, with a sneer, "he's clever, all right!"
Mrs. Challoner straightened up.
"Fortunately my outbreak did no great harm; nobody believed me."
"Except myself," observed Shirley, "and Murgatroyd!"