"Of course I will!" Faith cried.
Blake French knew that her recognition was disastrous. The whole plan, including the blackmail of Braden, had depended upon recovering the deeds without recognition. But now the matter of the deeds faded into nothingness. His innate brutality had swept him away, carried him too far. Apart from the law he knew the penalty that Angus Mackay would exact from the man who laid hands on his wife. But Angus was lying roped, helpless, a mile away. He was afraid, desperate. There must be silence; at all costs, silence.
He advanced. Faith sprang back, putting the table between them. But Garland suddenly interposed. Like Blake, he saw the collapse of their plans, but he accepted the failure.
"No more of that!" he said. "Let her alone!"
Blake turned on him in fury.
"You damned fool!" he snarled. "We've got to fix her, and Mackay, too, now!"
"You're crazy!" Garland cried. "Do you want to hang?"
"And do you want Mackay to kill you?" Blake retorted. He sprang forward, caught the table and thrust it aside. But Garland caught his arm.
"Let her alone, I tell you!" he repeated. "Come on; it's all off. Let's get out of here!"
Blake with a swift jerk ripped the concealing handkerchief from Garland's face. "Let her take a look at you, too!" he cried and flinging him aside drew his gun and turned on Faith.