Exerting all her strength, she tried to wrench herself free. "Let me go—you are hurting me!"
Her voice rose shrilly.
Despard lost his temper. "Very well—if you'll swear to be here to-morrow by nine o'clock!"
"I swear!" she cried eagerly.
"And give me back that piece of paper—my statement. If I have it in my possession it will help you to remember your promise."
Ruby ceased struggling and put her hands up to his face caressingly. "Don't you trust me, Bob?"
"I don't!" he grinned, and as he spoke he caught the neck of her blouse with one hand and with the other tried to snatch the folded sheet of paper hidden there.
Ruby staggered back, and clenching her fists, hit him in the face. Her cheeks burned with shame and indignation. "You coward! How dare you! I hate you!" She backed towards the door as she spoke. "I shan't come to you to-morrow, but I shall take your statement straight to my solicitors, who will show it to the police. You thought I would sell myself to you—you of all men in the world!"
She flung open the door and ran across the hall. Before she could escape Despard overtook her and seized her left arm. As he swung her round her right hand slipped into the pocket of her coat. She whipped out a tiny revolver and pointed it into his face:
"Let me go, or I'll fire!"