“Eliza!” and Miss Prall’s warning tone was quiet but very stern. “Stop that! You only make matters worse by going on so! If you can’t keep still, leave the room.” Eliza sniffed, but ceased her talk for the moment, at least. “Now, Miss Prall,” Gibbs resumed, “it is necessary, in my opinion, to have an interview at which both yourself and Mrs Everett are present. I have a right to ask this, and I offer you the choice of going there, or sending for her to come here.” “I won’t do either,” snapped Letitia. “I refuse to go to her home, and I certainly shall not let her enter mine.” “But, don’t you see that is most damaging to your own side of the story.” “What do I care? Don’t think you can frighten me, young man! Letitia Prall is quite able to take care of herself.” “That may be, but you are not able to defy, successfully, the course of the law. If I insist on this interview, I think, Miss Prall, you will be obliged to consent.” “And if I refuse?” “Then, I am sorry to tell you, your refusal must be set aside, and you will, I am sure, see the advisability of accepting the situation.” “Oh, come, Auntie,” said Bates, “you’re making a lot of unnecessary trouble. Neither you nor Mrs Everett had any hand in this murder,—the mere idea is ridiculous! and if you have the interview Mr Gibbs wants, it will soon be over and then you will both be freed from suspicion and can go on with your silly ‘feud.’ That is a foolish thing, but trivial. This other matter is serious. You _must_ get it over with at once,—for all our sakes.” “I won’t.” And Miss Prall set her lips obstinately. Gibbs rose abruptly and left the room. “He’s gone for Mrs Everett,” said Richard, looking severely at his aunt. “Now, you must be careful, Aunt Letty. If you don’t look out, they’ll accuse you of the murder, and though you’ll disprove it, it will mean a whole lot of trouble for us all.” Letitia Prall adored her nephew, and, too, she saw there was no use of trying to avoid the meeting with Mrs Everett. It was bound to be brought about, sooner or later, by the determined Gibbs, and it might as well be gone through with. She sat still, thinking what attitude it was best to assume, and she decided on continued silence. “Eliza,” she warned, “don’t talk too much. You’ll get us in an awful predicament if you’re so free with your tongue. First thing you know, you’ll tell——” “Hush, they’re coming!” and in a moment Gibbs rang the bell. Richard admitted him, and with him came both Adeline Everett and the maid, Kate. “I didn’t invite your servant,” was Miss Prall’s only word of greeting, accompanied by a scathing glance at Kate. “You didn’t invite me,” Mrs Everett returned, pertly, “and I shouldn’t have come if you had, except that I was commanded to appear by a representative of the law. I don’t see, though, why I should be mixed up in your murder case.”