"That proves, Mr. Stone, that you _do_ suspect me! Your assumption that I could have been in my own room shows that you do not believe I was in the hall,--as I was." "Then why didn't Miss Frayne see you there?" "How do you know she didn't? Why do you accept her words as truth, yet disbelieve mine?" Pauline had risen now and stood before him. Her tall slimness, her wonderful grace and her beautiful, angry countenance made an alluring picture. "I was not in favor of your taking this case, Mr. Stone, and I am even less so, now, that you refuse to believe what I say! I shall cable at once for my cousin to return. I do not wish Gray Haviland and Anita Frayne to arrange all this to suit themselves. I am mistress here, in Mr. Loria's absence, and if my authority is doubted I want him here to stand up for me!" "Just a moment, Miss Stuart. You are not entirely just to me. It is necessary for me to question you, but you must see that your innocence--of which I have no doubt--will be more easily established by a policy of frankness on your part, than by futile anger toward Miss Frayne or Mr. Haviland. The incident of the paper snake, as explained by you, is not necessarily incriminating, and if you will wait a few days before calling your cousin home, I think very likely you will prefer not to do so. I understand that you do not wish him to come home, unless he can be of assistance to you?" "Yes, that is his desire, to stay over there unless I want him. But, Mr. Stone," and now the lovely face was almost smiling, "if you mean what you said, that _you_ do not doubt my innocence, then I will not send for Mr. Loria. I am content to let it all rest in your hands." The girl's beauty now was dazzling. Color showed in her cheeks, her eyes shone, and the curve of her exquisite red lips was almost a smile. Stone looked at her in amazement. He had spoken truly, he had not doubted her innocence, but this sudden elation on her part puzzled him. What did it mean? Only, as she meant it to seem, that if he believed in her innocence it could be easily proved? Well, he would accept that diagnosis of her attitude, but he would move warily. This case was unlike any other he had ever engaged in, so he must attack it in a different way. And first of all, he must decide which of these two women was speaking the truth. Yet, how could he decide? If Pauline had been in that room when Anita listened at the door, she would, of course, try to prove that she was elsewhere. But, in such a case, why not say she was in her own room? It wasn't plausible that she should confess to being in the hall, if she were really in the boudoir. That, then, was in Pauline's favor. But the conversation detailed by Anita? That must be further analyzed. These thoughts flew through Stone's quick-moving brain as he stood looking at his beautiful hostess.