"I didn't mean that," he said, with an awkward effort at conciliation; "but you were wrong to provoke me."
The Lascar did not reply, and Solomon Fewster's alarm increased every moment. "Why don't you speak?" he asked.
"I've been thinking, master," then said the Lascar with a quiet laugh--"I've been thinking that a man isn't safe with such a sneak as you, and I've made up my mind."
"To what?"
"To this; and if you don't do it, I'll go straight to Joshua Marvel and his pretty Ellen, and open their eyes to what you are."
"And ruin yourself," said Solomon Fewster, trembling in every limb like the coward he was.
"And ruin myself," said the Lascar composedly, "and you along with me."
"You do not know what you are saying."
"You shall see," said the Lascar, moving slowly away.
"Stop! What is it you want me to do?"