"Why, it's a portrait of Miss Cameron, in costume! And painted by Mr.
Hunt!" In amazement she turned first upon Larry and upon Hunt. "When
did you ever paint her portrait, when you did not meet Miss Cameron
till you met her here? And, Mr. Brainard, how do you come to possess
Miss Cameron's portrait?"
It was Gavegan who spoke up promptly, and not either of the two
suddenly discomfited men. And Gavegan instantly sensed in the
situation a chance to get even for the humiliation his self-esteem had
just suffered.
"Miss Cameron nothing! Her real name is Maggie Carlisle, and she used
to live at a dump of a pawnshop down on the East Side run by
Brainard's grandmother. Brainard knew her there, and so did Mr. Hunt."
"But--but--" gasped Miss Sherwood--"she's been coming out here as
Maggie Cameron!"
"I tell you your Maggie Cameron is Maggie Carlisle!" said Gavegan
gloatingly. "I've known her for years. Her father is Old Jimmie
Carlisle, a notorious crook. And she's mixed up right now with her
father and some others in a crooked game. And Brainard here used to be
sweet on her, and probably still is, and if he's been letting her come
here, without telling you who she is--well, I guess you know the
answer. Didn't I tell you, Miss, that give me a chance and I'd turn up
something against this guy Brainard!"
Miss Sherwood's face was white, but set with grim accusation that was
only waiting to pronounce swift judgment.
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