"
"No, that will not do," she exclaimed, "for the others would betray
him."
"Aha!" ejaculated the detective, "human-like you have given yourself
away. Do not again deny your real motive for making the request."
The girl recognized that indeed she had betrayed herself, and in a tone
of distress she muttered:
"Oh, what shall I do?"
"I can tell you."
"Please do."
"Make a full confidant of me."
"Will you believe me?"
"I know of no reason why I should doubt your word."
"I have already deceived you."
"Eh! you have already deceived me?"
"I have."
"In what direction?"
"I told you I had never seen or spoken to Alphonse Donetti?"
"I remember."
"My denial was false."
The detective was silent.
"I did not dare let my aunt know that I had ever seen him."
"And you have met?"
"Yes."
"Often?"
"Yes, very often. He has confided in me."
"One moment! are you his affianced wife?"
"On my honor, I am not; but knowing his real story I sympathize with him
most heartily.
Pages:
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68