"Now."
"Where?"
"Here—or let the lady say."
Vandeman gave me a queer look and went out. When he was gone, I found Jim Edwards scrabbling for his hat where it had dropped over behind the desk. I put my back against the door and asked,
"Is Bronson Vandeman a fatuous fool; or does he take me for one?"
"Some men defend their women one way, and some another. Let me out of this, Boyne, before that girl gets here."
"She won't come in a hurry," I smiled. "Her husband's pretty free with his promises; but more than likely I'll have to go after her if I want her."
"Well?" he looked at me uncomfortably.
"Blackmail's a crime, you know, Edwards. A woman capable of it, might be capable of murder."
"You've got the wrong word there, Boyne. This wasn't exactly blackmail."