"Wait a minute. Let me get this straight. I don't want to make any mistake."
"You really mean to accuse me of this abominable thing?"
"I know no reason to believe you incapable of it. And you did meet a man out there last night."
"Then why do you hesitate to inform Mrs. Gosnold? Isn't it your duty?"
"I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, providing you--"
"Have you consulted Mr. Lyttleton about this?"
That shot told. Mrs. Standish paused with an open mouth. "Mr. Lyttleton!" she exclaimed, recovering, in a tone that implied complete ignorance of the existence of any such person.
"Mr. Lyttleton," Sally repeated. "You know very well it was he to whom I was talking out there--and I know you know it."
"Say I do, for the sake of the argument; do you imagine Mr. Lyttleton would sacrifice himself--admit that he got up and left the house, for whatever reason, last night after going to bed--to save you?"
"No," Sally conceded; "I don't expect anything from either you or any of your friends. But Mr. Lyttleton will find the facts hard to deny. There was a witness, you must know--though I've no doubt it's news to you. He wouldn't be likely to mention that to you. In fact, I can see from your face he didn't. But there was."
"That's for you to find out. Why not ask Mr. Lyttleton? It's no good, Mrs. Standish. I don't understand your motive, and I'd rather not guess at it; but I'm not a child to be scared by a bogy. Show your forged letter to Mrs. Gosnold, if you like--or come with me and we'll both show it to her--"
"Are you mad'? Do you want to be exposed?"
"I'm not afraid, Mrs. Standish--and you are!"
After an instant the woman's eyes clouded and fell. "I don't know what you mean," she faltered.
"I mean that this scene has gone on long enough. I'm sick and tired of it--and it isn't getting you anything, either. Good _night_!"
With this Sally marched to the door, turned the knob, and found it locked and the key missing.
"Not till you tell me--" the other began with a flash of reviving spirit.
Sally advanced a finger toward the push-button. "Must I call one of the maids to let me out?"
Capitulation was signalled with a distracted gesture. "Miss Manwaring, do tell me--"
"Nothing--I'll tell you nothing! Give me that key."