Gatliffe did not condescend to take any notice of these sneering observations, but he was a little ruffled, nevertheless.
“You will be pleased, or, rather, I shall be, by your abstaining from sneering observations, and if you have nothing better to say, pass on.”
“Not until I have a word or two with you, madam,” said Alf Purvis, for the newcomer was none other than he.
“Not until I have told you a piece of my mind. You think, perhaps, that I am in ignorance of your doings. Who was it that betrayed me, and set on detectives to find out the forged cheque business? A curse light on you!”
“This lady is under my protection,” said Gatliffe, “and I must request you to go your way.”
“You request?”
“Yes, most certainly; this is not the time or place for you to indulge in personal and impertinent remarks.”
“Do not heed what he says,” ejaculated Miss Stanbridge. “He is unworthy of notice.”
“It is of no use your endeavouring to carry it off with a high hand, you worthless, base woman,” cried Purvis. “I know you, my lady. No one knows you better, and it will go hard with me if I don’t have my revenge. You have betrayed us. Do you hear, you infamous strumpet?” he added, shaking his fist in her face.
“You audacious young scoundrel!” exclaimed Gatliffe, who was by this time incensed beyond all reasonable endurance. “Begone, while you have a whole skin.”