The manager looked at Mr. Githens and then at the police officer.

"Ahem! It seems that Herr Grabetz of the police department desires to
ask some questions of your party in my presence. You will understand,
sir, that the hotel has been imposed upon by--by these people. It seems,
also, that the bank insists upon having some light thrown upon the
methods by which Mrs. Medcroft secures money on her letter of credit."

"You are welcome to all that, sir," declared Mr. Odell-Carney, "but I am
interested to know just why my wife and I are brought into this affair."

"Because you are guests of Mr. Rodney, sir, I regret to state. We have
no complaint against you, sir. _You_ are well known here. The--the
others are not. They are--what you call it? Humbugs! It may be that they
also have swindled you!"

Mr. Rodney, at this point, leaped to his feet and rushed over to shake
his fist in the face of the insulting hotel man. But Edith Medcroft
arose suddenly, like a tragedy queen, and spoke, her clear, determined
voice stilling the turbulent spirit of her outraged host.

"One moment, please," she said. "This all can be satisfactorily
explained. No wrong has been done. It will all be cleared up in time.
We--"

"In time?" interrupted the manager. "Madam, _this_ is the time. You are
here with a man who is not your husband, yet who purports to be such."

"It may throw some light on the matter if I announce that the gentleman