``Then I did not get my engagement on false pretenses?''
``No. You are right. Still, your fall-down as a
singer is the important fact. Don't lose sight of it.''
``I shan't,'' said she tersely.
His eyes were frankly laughing. ``As to Ransdell
--what a clever trick! He's a remarkable man. If
he weren't so shrewd in those little ways, he might have
been a great man. Same old story--just a little too
smart, and so always doing the little thing and missing
the big thing. Yes, he went gunning for you--and
got you.'' He dropped into his chair. He thought a
moment, laughed aloud, went on: ``No doubt he has
worked that same trick many a time. I've suspected it
once or twice, but this time he fooled me. He got you,
Miss Gower, and I can do nothing. You must see that
I can't look after details. And I can't give up as
invaluable a man as Ransdell. If I put you back, he'd
put you out--would make the piece fail rather than let
you succeed.''
Mildred was gazing somberly at the floor.
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