"You told Dr. Zacharie so--you told us so," interrupted Mr. Cooley rudely.
"Yes," she said slowly, "but I meant----"
She stopped, not knowing what to reply.
"Well, never mind!" smiled the inspector. Looking at her curiously, he asked: "Why are you afraid of your uncle?"
"I don"t know," she replied, hesitating. "He-- I"m afraid of him, that"s all. I can"t explain why." Laughing hysterically, she went on: "I"m at a disadvantage here. I can"t seem to say even what I"ve said a great many times."
The physicians looked at each other significantly. Mr. Cooley nudged Jimmy. The examiner went on:
"Did you tell Dr. Zacharie that you"d rather die than let your uncle get his brother"s estates?"
"I may have said so. It"s very probable," answered Paula quietly.
"Did you say you"d rather he was dead?"
"No, I did not," she answered emphatically. Pointing to Dr. Zacharie she exclaimed indignantly: "That man has twisted my words! He"d ask me questions, and I"d answer them without thinking."
"Oh!" sneered Mr. Cooley. "Then you might have said it and have forgotten that you said it?"
"Yes, I might," she said falteringly. "But I--I don"t think it"s fair to--to--to---- It isn"t fair----"
"Naturally she would deny it," suggested Dr. Zacharie in an undertone to the other physicians.
"Of course," chimed in Mr. Cooley. "I think we"ve established the facts that she fears him, hates him, and wishes he was dead. That alone is ground enough for our application."
Suddenly there was a commotion in the hall outside. The door was flung open and Tod appeared, cool and self-possessed.
"Thank G.o.d!" exclaimed Paula, overjoyed.
"h.e.l.lo, everybody!" grinned Tod. "Why, I didn"t know you were giving a party, Miss Marsh!"
"What do you want here?" demanded Jimmy, trying to prevent his stepson"s further entrance.
But Paula jumped up and ran eagerly to greet him. Never had he been so welcome. In one instant her anxiety and apprehension had disappeared.
Her manner was entirely changed. Smiling, she extended her hand:
"I"m so glad to see you, Mr. Chase--so glad! Won"t you come in?"
Mr. Cooley frowned.
"It"s impossible!" he said emphatically.
"You can"t stay here," said Mr. Marsh. "Don"t you see we"re engaged?"
"Yes--yes--Jimmy," grinned Tod.
"You can"t stay here, Mr. Chase," said Mr. Cooley sternly.
Tod looked at Paula inquiringly.
"Please don"t go," she said, in an undertone.
"But he must go," said Mr. Cooley, who overheard.
Tod laughed, and, going to a side table, laid down his hat and cane.
Coming back he said, with a careless laugh:
"My dear old Cooley, when a lady invites me to stay and that lady happens to be the hostess, one doesn"t need any lawyer"s advice on the subject--one simply stays."
He looked across at the table where the commission were sitting, and, surprised to see them, he turned to Paula for an explanation.
"What"s the game?" he asked. "I don"t see any chips--can I get in? Say, this looks like a nice little party, Miss Marsh. I"m awfully glad I came."
Mr. Marsh, who was fast losing his temper, went up to him and took him aside.
"Now, Tod," he said angrily, "you must really go! Don"t you understand this is a--a--very sad---- Please go at once."
"Behave yourself, Jimmy," laughed Tod, shaking his stepfather off.
"d.a.m.n!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Jimmy.
"Young man," said Mr. Cooley sternly, "this is very serious--believe me."
Tod grinned.
"That"s the trouble with you, Cooley. You take things too seriously."
"But this is serious, sir," thundered the lawyer.
"All right-- I"ll be serious, too," retorted the young man. "What"s the trouble?"
"Your son?" inquired Dr. McMutrie blandly.
"My wife"s son," replied Jimmy sourly.
The examiner rose.
"Just a moment, sir," he said.
Drawing Tod aside, he crossed the room with him, conversing in a whisper, while the others watched in silence, Paula in an agony of suspense. Suddenly the young man started and exclaimed:
"Good Lord! No--no--no--not for a moment. It"s a lie!"
For all reply Dr. McMutrie handed the young man his visiting card.
"I don"t care a d----" cried Tod wrath fully. "Excuse me, sir--excuse me--I"ll--I"ll--well, I"ll be-- Pardon me, won"t you, sir? My feelings got away with me."