. "Would you refuse if I asked you to do it
now?" she said.

"Perhaps," he answered.

She turned from him to Max. "You would refuse too?" she said, and this
time there was a tremor of bitterness in her voice. "You always have
refused."

"It happens to be my rule never to discuss my cases with anyone outside
my profession," he said.

"And that was your only reason?" A sudden pale gleam shot up in Olga's
eyes; she stiffened a little as though an electric current ran through
her as she faced him.

"It is the only one I have to offer you," Max said.

He also sounded stern; and in a flash she grasped her position. They
were ranged against her--the two she loved best in the world--leagued
together to keep from her the truth. A quiver of indignation went
through her. She turned abruptly from them both.

"You needn't take this trouble any longer," she said. "I--know!"

"What do you know?" It was Max's voice, curt and imperative.

He took a step forward; his hand was on her shoulder. But she wheeled
and flung it from her with an exclamation that was almost a cry of
horror.

"Don't touch me!" she said.

He stood confronting her, hard, pitiless, insistent. Of her gesture he
took no notice whatever. "What do you know?" he repeated.

She answered him with breathless rapidity, as if compelled. "I know that
you made her love you--that when you knew the truth about her you gave
her up. I know that you ruined her first--and deserted her afterwards
for me. I know that you terrified her into secrecy, and then,
when--when her brain gave way and there was no way of escape for you--I
know that you--that you--that you--"

Her lips stiffened. She could not say the word. For several seconds she
strove with it inarticulately; then suddenly, wildly, she flung out her
hands, urging him from her.

"Oh, go! Go! Go!" she cried. "Let me never see you again!"

He did not go. He stood absolutely still, watching her.

But she was scarcely aware of him any longer. For her strength had
suddenly deserted her. She was sunk against the wall with her hands over
her face, sobbing terrible, tearless sobs that shook her from head to
foot.

Nick started towards her, but Max stretched out a powerful arm, and kept
him back. "No, Nick," he said firmly. "This is my concern. You go, like
a good chap. I'll come to you presently."

"I will not!" said Nick flatly.

He gripped the opposing arm at the elbow so that it doubled abruptly.
But Max whee