We must draw the truth from him--we must have him where
he can't elude us."
Larcher was surprised at her intensity of resolution, her implacability
toward Turl on the supposition of his having borne an adverse part toward
Davenport. It was plain she would allow consideration for no one to stand
in her way, where light on Davenport's fate was promised.
"You mean that we should force matters?--not wait and watch for other
circumstances to come out?" queried Larcher.
"I mean that we'll force matters. We'll take him by surprise with what
we already know, and demand the full truth. We'll use every advantage
against him--first make sure to have him alone with us three, and then
suddenly exhibit our knowledge and follow it up with questions. We'll
startle the secret from him. I'll threaten, if necessary--I'll put the
worst possible construction on the facts we possess, and drive him to
tell all in self-defence." Florence was scarlet with suppressed energy
of purpose.
"The thing, then, is to arrange for having him alone with us," said
Larcher, yielding at once to her initiative.
"As soon as possible," replied Florence, falling into thought.
"We might send for him to call here," suggested Edna, who found the
situation as exciting as a play. "But then Aunt Clara would be in the
way. I couldn't send her out in such weather. Tom, we'd better come to
your rooms, and you invite him there."
Larcher was not enamored of that idea. A man does not like to invite
another to the particular kind of surprise-party intended on this
occasion.
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