“You value your own life?”
“That I will admit.”
“Then, that is reason enough.”
“I shall defend my life with this weapon. Further than that, what is to hinder me from compelling you to rise and escort me from this room? I have a weapon in my hand, and I can put a piece of lead through your body in a twinkling, if I choose. Were you to refuse, I might shoot you.”
“And that would be a serious thing for you.”
“Not in this case, which would be purely one of self-defense. By your words, it is evident that Claude Bruant, the Strangler, is known in Paris, and it would not matter much if one of his intended victims were to end his life. In fact, it seems probable that every honest man would rejoice, and the one who did the deed would be applauded, if not rewarded.”
“You have that matter reasoned out to your own satisfaction, I presume?”
“Fully.”
“Well, let me tell you that the friends of the Strangler are within call. Were you to become careless with that pistol——”
“I should not give you time to call.”