"
His disappointment was so keen that it threatened to exhibit itself in
anger. Recognizing this, before he spoke Wharton forced himself to
pause. Then he repeated her words quietly.
"Bring me here?" he asked. "Why?"
The woman exclaimed impatiently: "So you could beat the police to it,"
she whispered. "So you could _hush it up_!"
The surprised laugh of the man was quite real. It bore no resentment or
pose. He was genuinely amused. Then the dignity of his office, tricked
and insulted, demanded to be heard. He stared at her coldly; his
indignation was apparent.
"You have done extremely ill," he told her. "You know perfectly well you
had no right to bring me up here; to drag me into a row in your
road-house. 'Hush it up!'" he exclaimed hotly. This time his laugh was
contemptuous and threatening.
"I'll show you how I'll hush it up!" He moved quickly to the open
window.
"Stop!" commanded the woman. "You can't do that!"
She ran to the door.
Again he was conscious of the rustle of silk, of the stirring of
perfumes.
He heard the key turn in the lock.
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