Pale and resentful, with a sneer on her lips, Cervera led the way
through, the hall, playing her part so artfully that Nick, ignorant of
her late interview with Rufus Venner, was not much inclined to suspect
her of duplicity just then.
Upon reaching the top of the hall stairs, Cervera switched on another
light, and then that which illumined her chamber, into which she
haughtily led the detective.
"A fine affront to suffer," she bitterly exclaimed, throwing herself
into a chair. "Your conduct is despicable! You are no gentleman!"
"I am a detective," retorted Nick, "and I come pretty near knowing my
business."
"Oh! you do," sneered Cervera. "Plainly that is the limit of your
knowledge. You may not be as wise as you think."
Nick made no reply, but looked sharply about the room.
It was a large, square chamber, and elaborately furnished. The two
windows were well above the street, and offered no chance for escape.
There were but two doors, that leading into the hall and the one leading
into a large closet in the opposite wall.
Nick opened the latter, and found the closet hung with Cervera's
extensive wardrobe. He thrust his arm along the garments hanging at
either side, and sounded the three walls, and then the closet floor, all
of which appeared perfectly firm and solid.
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