Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/324

 get over the disagreeable part of this at once. Did you give the money to Lieutenant Grunwald?"

"Yes."

"All of it?"

"Every penny."

"And he deserted you, after promising marriage?"

"Yes; and wrote me a brutal letter."

"I take it that he originated the plan for obtaining the money?"

"Yes; and arranged it so that I alone must bear the brunt. He can prove that he merely borrowed it from me, not knowing its source."

"He is a thorough-paced scoundrel!"

"I am now on my way to Vienna to give myself up to the police and make confession."

"You will do nothing of the sort."

"Why not?"

Because I forbid it. Furthermore, to show that you are not bereft of friends, I shall proceed direct from Vienna to Paris, seek out this man, challenge him, fight him, and kill him, if I can."

"Oh, no, no, no, no!" cried the girl, for the first time some animation coming into her voice.

"Why not?"

"Because—because I love him."

"You can't possibly love him now!" exclaimed Stranleigh, with indignation.