Part 4 (2/2)
”Yes, I really think it will be better,” he murmured with his strange smile.
”And I ask again, better for whom?”
”For Mr. Sedgwick, my dear,” he cut back.
She was plainly taken aback.
”But--since he hasn't the paper----”
”We'll a.s.sume he has it. At least he knows where it is.”
His manner dismissed her definitely from the business in hand. ”I must apologize for my brusqueness, Mr. Sedgwick, but I'm sure you'll understand that with a busy man time is money. Believe me, it is with great regret I am forced to cut short so promising a career. You're a man after my own heart. I see quite unusual qualities in you that I would have found pleasure in cultivating. But I mustn't let my selfish regret interfere with what is for the good of the greatest number. At best it's an unsatisfactory world. You're well rid of it. Any last messages, by the way?”
He purred out his atrocious mockery as a great cat gifted with speech might have done while playing with the mouse it meant to destroy.
”I'd like to make it clear to you what a villain you are--but I despair of finding words to do justice to the subject. As for your threat, it is absurd. You'd hang, to a certainty, on the testimony of Miss Wallace.”
He shrugged his broad shoulders.
”Life is full of risks. We all have to take them, and for my part it lends a zest. Unfortunately, if you take this risk you will not be in a position later to realize that your judgment was at fault. That, however, is your business and not mine,” he concluded cheerfully, lifting his weapon slightly and taking aim.
”For the last time---- Do you give me the map, or do I give you a pa.s.s to kingdom come?”
The girl moved forward so that she stood directly between me and the weapon. She was taking a paper from her hand-bag, but she did not lower her eyes to direct her hands in their search.
”I reckon I couldn't make you understand how I despise you--and hate you! I'd rather be kin to the poorest beggar who sweeps the streets down there than to you,” she flamed, flinging before him a paper.
Warily he picked it up and glanced at it, still covering me carefully.
”This is the map, is it?”
”You may see for yourself,” she blazed.
”It is really very good of you to ask me to keep it for you, Evie. I'll take good care of it--not a doubt of that. It's far better in my hands than yours, for of course you might be robbed.”
His impudent smile derided her contempt. For me--I wouldn't have faced that look of hers for twenty maps.
”We're not through with you yet,” I told him.
In gay reproof he shook a finger at me.
”Ah! There speaks the lawyer. You'll bring an action, will you?”
It annoyed me to be playing so poor a part before Miss Wallace.
”You're an infernal scoundrel!”
”I could argue you out of that uncharitable opinion if I had time, Mr.
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