"Nothing!" Her tone was annoyed, reproachful. "That was only to
bring you here"

His disappointment was so keen that it threatened to exhibit itself
in anger. Recognizing this, before he spoke Wharton forced himself
to pause. Then he repeated her words quietly.

"Bring me here?" he asked. "Why?"

The woman exclaimed impatiently: "So you could beat the police to
it," she whispered. "So you could HUSH IT UP!"

The surprised laugh of the man was quite real. It bore no
resentment or pose. He was genuinely amused. Then the dignity of
his office, tricked and insulted, demanded to be heard. He stared
at her coldly; his indignation was apparent.

"You have done extremely ill," he told her. "You know perfectly
well you had no right to bring me up here; to drag me into a row in
your road-house. 'Hush it up!"' he exclaimed hotly. This time his
laugh was contemptuous and threatening. "I'll show you how I'll
hush it up!" He moved quickly to the open window.

"Stop!" commanded the woman. "You can't do that!" She ran to the
door.

Again he was conscious of the rustle of silk, of the stirring of
perfumes.