Page:Edgar Wallace - The Man who Knew.djvu/337

 yesterday, and he pretends to be a gentleman. My mother used to say that no gentleman ever treats a woman badly, but Frank does." "Nobody shall treat you badly any more," said Mr. Mann.

"I hate him!" she went on with sudden vehemence. "He sneers and says he 's going to get another wife, and—oh!"

He saw her hands go up to her face, and saw her staring eyes turn to the door in affright. Frank Merrill stood in the doorway, and looked at her without recognition. "I am sorry," he said. "You have a visitor?"

"Come in," said Mr. Mann. "I am awfully glad you called."

The girl had risen to her feet, and was shrinking back to the wall.

"Do you know this lady?"

Frank looked at her keenly.

"Why, yes, that 's Sergeant Smith's daughter," he said, and he smiled. "Where on earth have you been?"