Rebb passed a handkerchief across his pale lips. "Who told you about the will?" he asked quietly. "It was more an intuition than anything else," said Haskins, anxious to shield Mrs. Geary, whose chance words had put him on the track. "I saw that Mavis was sane, and that you were shutting her up for some reason. Money was the reason that suggested itself." "And you searched in Somerset House?" "Not personally. Macandrew did that, as my lawyer." "Great heavens!" stormed Rebb, growing darkly red, "is Macandrew in this affair also? Will you tell me, Mr. Haskins, how many people you have succeeded in interesting in my private business?" "Only Tod and myself know about the matter so far--I refer to the will, of course. But others may come to know of it, unless----" "Ah," said Rebb quickly, "now we are coming to the gist of the matter, Mr. Haskins. Unless what?" "Unless you give Mavis her proper position in the world----" "And consent to your marriage with her, I suppose?" Haskins bowed. "You save me the trouble of an explanation." "There is another explanation to be made," said Rebb, trying to appear calm, "and one that in justice to myself I must make. The will----" "Pardon me," interrupted Gerald coolly, "but Mrs. Jennings knows all about your ward's alleged insanity." "Her true insanity," cried Rebb warmly, "everyone in Denleigh and Silbury and Leegarth knows about the poor girl, and that she is watched by Bellaria Dondi." "Your useful, elderly relative. Just so. And does all the neighborhood know about Julian Durham's will?" "Anyone who goes to Somerset House can learn what he wishes, as you have done," retorted the Major. "I am not bound to make my private affairs public down here. You apparently are trying to do your best to provide gossip for the neighborhood." "Well, yes. I mean to get Mavis out of the Pixy's House." Rebb jumped up and banged on the table furiously. "I defy you. Yes, I defy you," he almost shouted, "and you shall not get her out of that house. She is well treated, and----" "One moment. I never said that she was not well treated," said Gerald swiftly, "but, badly as you are behaving, I presume your conscience does not allow you to ill-treat Mavis, seeing that you are enjoying her fortune." "Take care! Take care! I may strike you." "By all means. It will give me the chance to take you into court for assault and make the matter of the Pixy's House public." "Ah," Rebb looked scathingly at the bold speaker, "you are afraid." "Oh no. If you strike me, I shall probably give you a good thrashing, which, to my mind, you richly deserve. In an ordinary case I would thrash you and let you go: but my desire is to force you into taking up a public position of defence." "I am quite willing to do so," said Rebb violently, "you can employ Macandrew or any lawyer you like. The will is in my favor, and I have carried out its provisions."