"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. It had Come. It was a frame-up.
There would be a scandal. And to save himself from it they would
force him to "hush up" this other one. But, as to the outcome, in
no way was he concerned. Through the window, standing directly
below it, he had seen Nolan. In the sunlit yard the chauffeur, his
cap on the back of his head, his cigarette drooping from his lips,
was tossing the remnants of a sandwich to a circle of excited hens.
He presented a picture of bored indolence, of innocent
preoccupation. It was almost too well done.
Assured of a witness for the defense, he greeted the woman with a
smile.
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