"How do you propose to finish it?"
Pachmann shrugged his shoulders.
"You are in my hands," he said, "you and your daughter. Heretofore I have been lenient with you, I have been good-natured; I hoped that we might reach some agreement, and I have tried to meet you half-way. But my good nature is at an end; I withdraw all my offers. I demand that you place your secret at Germany's disposal."
"And if I refuse?"
"I shall turn the screw!" answered Pachmann, and there was cold menace in his eyes and in his voice.
Vard had raised himself to a sitting posture. Now he swung his feet off the bed.
"I too have a demand to make," he said, his voice a mere whisper. "My patience also is at an end. I demand my freedom and that of my daughter."
"What do you offer in exchange?"
"I offer nothing in exchange!" said Vard, and rose slowly to his feet. "I intend to offer my services to France!"
Pachmann looked at him—at his bent and wasted figure, his shaking hands, his trembling knees—a mocking light in his eyes.