lle
stepped into the hall and quickly returned to confirm Lady Clifford's
statement. The chief representative of the police then drew a long
breath and spoke to Roger in a threatening voice.

"Monsieur, you have heard Madame's statement to the effect that you, a
guest in her house, forced her to remain in her bedroom by locking the
door and removing the key. Do you deny this?"

"Not at all, it is perfectly true."

The reply was so cool that the interlocutor's self-possession wavered
for an instant.

"Ah, indeed, then, monsieur, you make no attempt to contradict Madame's
accusation?" inquired the man importantly the repetition giving him
time to arrange his thoughts.

"It is true as far as it goes," Roger replied coldly. "If you wish to
know the whole of the matter I must refer you to Madame."

There was an uncomfortable pause while the officer bit the end of his
stubby pencil, evidently uncertain how best to proceed. Twice he
glanced at Lady Clifford, and once he opened his mouth to speak, then
closed it again. Suddenly, with an impulsive gesture, Therese turned
directly to Roger.

"How can you say such a thing, Roger?" she inquired with an air of
frankness and mild reproach. "I know only too well that in your heart
you have always disliked me, have always been jealous of any little
influence I may have had with your father, but how can you stand there
and suggest that I can tell this gentleman why you behaved as you did
when I don't know the reason?"

The stroke told; moreover, the absolute candour with its hint of
lurking tears enhanced the strong appeal which her beauty had already
exerted over the three limbs of the law. Not wishing to disclose
anything more than was necessary Roger remained stonily silent, letting
the officers think what they pleased. He felt the triumph in Therese's
voice when she spoke again.

"You see, monsieur, Mr. Clifford does not care to reply. I leave you
to draw your own conclusions. For me it is quite evident that he is
unwilling to reveal his reasons for subjecting me to this treatment."

The man with the black moustache shifted from one foot to the other.
From his expression it became apparent that he was growing ill at ease,
scenting the presence, perhaps, of some purely domestic difference
which lay outside his province. As he hesitated his roving eye caught
sight of Sartorius, who had risen unobtrusively and was regarding the
scene with dispassionate interest.