He was evidently
seeking some way in which to lead up to the revelation of the
truth without too much shock.
"You remember that time in the tea room when we were sitting with
Senora de Moche?" he asked finally.
"Yes," she said shortly, as though the very recollection were
disagreeable to her.
Kennedy, however, had a disagreeable task, and he felt that it
must be performed in the kindest manner.
"You remember then that she said she had one thing more to say,
that it was about Mr. Whitney and Mr. Lockwood."
She was about to interrupt, but he hurried on, giving her no
chance to do so. "She asked you to think it over. Suppose they did
not have the dagger, she said. Then were their chances of finding
the treasure any better than any one else had? And if they did
have it, she asked what that meant. It is a dilemma, my dear
Senorita, which you must meet some time. Why not meet it now?"
Her face was set. "You will remember, also, Professor Kennedy,"
she said, with a great effort controlling her voice, "that I said
that Mr. Lockwood was not there to defend himself and I would not
have him attacked by innuendo. I meant it to the Senora--I mean it
to you!"
She had also meant it to defy him; but as she proceeded her voice
broke, and before she knew it her nature had triumphed, and she
was alternately sobbing and pleading.
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