Read "The House of Evil" by William Le Queux online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Howard was the first to break the strained silence; he spoke in a toneless voice. "I Suppose you will presently tell me what all this means, the reason of this extraordinary attitude. I suppose you have been talking over the state of affairs with Maud, and are angry with me for having made such a muddle of things. You will stay to dinner, of course?"
Swiftly came the reply: "If I would not take your hand, is it likely I would accept your hospitality? I hope never to see you, nor set foot in this house of evil, again. Howard Stormont, I know you for what you are; I know the double life you have been leading since you left England and since you returned to it. I know you to be the associate of criminals, yourself not the least criminal amongst them."