"In this house!" Miriam returned with a faint smile. "I wish he were, indeed I do wish he were——"
"Mrs. Challoner," the prosecutor went on, ignoring her words, "it is necessary that my men, now while I am here, while you are here, should search these premises—this house——"
Shirley Bloodgood shook herself from the grasp of Miriam; she stood erect, her slender form tense.
"This is an imposition; it is preposterous, Mr. Murgatroyd, that you should doubt her word!"
Murgatroyd was unmoved.
"It is necessary for my men to search this house," he repeated; and not unwisely, for he well knew that there is something that brings men—good, bad and indifferent men—back to their homes.
But Shirley was adamant.
"No, I won't allow it!" she exclaimed indignantly.
Mrs. Challoner placed a restraining hand on the girl, for Miriam Challoner once more held a strong grip upon herself.
"Search the house if you wish, Mr. Murgatroyd," she consented; "if you find my husband, no one will be more pleased than I."