CHAPTER 16It seemed as if Mme. Storey’s plan to confront them would come to nothing, owing to Henry Varick’s having been utterly crushed by the girl’s statement. He sat with his elbows on his knees, and his head pressed between his hands. In order to stir him up, the Inspector said in a rasping voice: “Have you nothing to say, sir?”
The young man started to his feet with a wild, despairing face. “What she says is nearly true,” he cried; “but just that little difference makes all the difference between life and death to me!”
“You may question her if you wish,” said Mme. Storey.
He quieted down. “I don’t want to question her,” he said, “but I want to tell her something.” He approached the girl, looking at her steadily. Something new had come into his face, something firm and fine; it was
