“Keep cool,” he counseled.
Her answer was a moan of anguish, and he realized that she feared for him.
Suddenly she began to call for help. Twice her cries rung out, and then one of the Japanese leaped into the tonneau and placed his hand over her mouth, smothering her voice.
The sight of this action was too much for Orme. He began a furious effort to break away from his captors. One sudden motion freed his right arm from Arima’s clutch, and he reached for Maku’s throat. But after a moment of scuffling, he was again held securely.
“Girl!” he shouted, “don’t try to call out. Keep quiet.”
The Japanese in the tonneau appeared to understand the words, for he took his hand away from the girl’s mouth, though he remained beside her, ready to put an end to any fresh outbreak.
“Now,” said Orme, turning his eyes on Arima, “what does this mean?”
“You give us papers,” replied the Japanese softly.
“I have no papers that mean anything to you.”
“We see. Give them to me.”