"Don't talk that useless chatter. Of course you have it."
"But I haven't. I threw it away, when the lawyer gave it to me, and——"
"No; you didn't. You only pretended to. Come; now, where is it?"
"Will you go away if I give it to you?" Iris was struck with an idea.
"If you give me your word of honor that you're giving me the right one."
This dissuaded her, for she had intended to give him one from her belt ribbon.
"I tell you I don't know where it is. Now, cease this useless interview, please, and leave me."
"I'll do nothing of the sort! You know where that pin is, and I am sure it's hidden in this room—"
"How utterly absurd you are! Why, why do you want it? I believe you're crazy!"
"I'm not, as you'll find out! But I intend to have the pin, so make up your mind to that!" He sprang toward her, laying his automatic on a table, and with a single gesture, it seemed to Iris, he had a soft silk handkerchief tied over her mouth, and around her head, in such fashion that she couldn't utter a sound.