“I was beginning to think you would not come,” said Shirley.
“My train was late,” Jones responded. “I had to hustle to get here as soon as I did.”
He was silent for some moments. Shirley said nothing, waiting for Jones to open the conversation.
“So,” said the man after the food had been set before them, “you have decided to accept my offer, eh?”
Shirley thought it good policy not to appear too anxious.
“It all depends upon what you want me to do,” she replied.
Jones looked at her long and carefully.
“Well,” he said at length, “I’ll tell you. You understand, of course, that it will not be healthy for you to repeat anything I may say?”
Shirley nodded assent.
“And that if you play me false, you will get the worst of it?”