"I did not know you were here," said Haverleigh, carelessly, for he was still angered at the man.
"I have been here ever since the night I fled from Raston's house. It was Adam who went on to London and cut the wire."
"And the letter in which you said you had stolen the cup?"
"I wrote that here and posted it to Adam that he might send it from London. Mrs Gabriel helped me to hide. No one knows that I am in this house save herself, and now you are a sharer in our secret."
"It must be difficult to keep your presence here a secret from the servants," said Leo, wondering how the man had forced Mrs Gabriel to help.
Here the lady herself interfered. "It is not difficult at all," she said in her most offensive tones. "You know nothing of what you are talking about. Pratt is up in the tower room, and I take him food myself from my own meals. It is impossible that anyone can guess."
"Well, my dear aunt," said Haverleigh, emphatically, "I know that Pratt is here. I think, therefore, you had better behave towards me in a more civil manner."
"Ha!" scoffed Mrs Gabriel, folding her arms and looking defiant. "You would not dare to state the truth."
"How do you know that?" said Leo, dryly. "Pratt is wanted by the law. He committed a theft here and allowed me to lie under suspicion. Why should I not give him up and accuse you of being an accessory to his concealment?"
Mrs Gabriel frowned and her black eyes flashed, but Pratt, who had taken a seat, did not move. He merely laughed. "I don't think you will give away, Leo," he said. "I admit that Mrs Gabriel is enough to irritate a saint; but if you punish her you punish me also."
"And you deserve punishment," retorted Leo.
"Probably I do; but I have my own opinion of the matter. All I ask you to do is to hold your tongue until such a time as I can get away."
"Soon, I hope," cried Mrs Gabriel, spitefully. "I am rather tired of having a jail-bird in my house."
"Oh! you refer to that American affair," said Pratt, airily. "I had quite forgotten it. Well, my dear lady, I do not intend to burden you with my presence after to-morrow. By this time no one will be watching for me hereabouts, as I am supposed to be in London. I shall go to-morrow night and return to my London quarters, where Adam awaits me. By the way, Haverleigh, has that fool of a detective gone?"