Carter, who had heard all that was said, was deeply interested. CHAPTER VIII. A WOMAN SCORNED. Dora kept her eyes fastened on Darwin. There was a peculiar glitter in them. At first Darwin returned her gaze without flinching, but soon he commenced to move about uneasily. For some time neither spoke. A cynical smile played around the corners of Dora’s lips. “You are contemptible,” she sneered. “Really, I should feel sorry for you if I did not despise you so intensely!” “Really, Dora, I don’t understand you,” Darwin replied. “You don’t understand me? How can you sit there and say that? Where were you to-day at eleven o’clock?” “Why--I--I----” “Don’t lie to me. Where were you?” “I was in O’Rourke’s restaurant.” “With whom?” “Sally Rich.” “What were you doing in her company?” “I met her by chance.” “You had an appointment with her.” “I did not.” “I was in O’Rourke’s at the time, and I saw both of you.” “Spying on me?” Darwin’s face darkened, and he bit the ends of his mustache. “I was _not_ spying on you,” Dora ejaculated. “I wouldn’t spy on any one. But I am glad I’ve discovered your duplicity.” “You are jealous of Sally Rich,” Darwin retorted. “I am _not_! But I do hate her.” “I am aware of that. She hates _you_.” “She is a low----” “Hush!” “I will not hush! This is the third time that I have caught you with her.” “You don’t understand. I have business with her brother----” “Do you expect me to believe that? Not much! I’m not green. As long as you prefer that woman’s society to mine, you may go with her, and I never want you to speak to me again.” “But, Dora----” “Dick Darwin, my mind is made up.” “Do listen to reason, Dora.” “Good night.” Dora arose from the table, cast a contemptuous glance at Darwin, and walked into a side room. “Confound that woman!” Darwin muttered, as he gazed after her. “If she turns against me, she may ruin me. I wish I hadn’t met Sally Rich--at least, not for the present.” Carter heard what Darwin muttered, and he saw that the man was greatly disturbed. “He’s afraid of Dora, for some reason,” the detective cogitated. “If I could get her out of here, unseen by Darwin, while she is in her present mood, I might be able to worm some information out of her. Shall I make the attempt?” Carter looked into the next room, where he saw Dora putting on her cloak. He glanced at Darwin, who was leaning back in his chair in a brown study. “Shall I try?” the detective thought, and he gazed after Dora, who was starting for the stairway. He saw that Darwin did not move, and he was still thinking. In an instant his mind was made up, and he started after Dora. She went out into the street. Then the detective spoke to her. “You are a stranger to me,” she said coldly, with an air of affronted dignity. “I am not such a stranger as you think, Miss Ferris. We have met several times,” Carter rejoined. “I don’t seem to remember you.”