She thought of appealing to the manliness or better nature of her enemy, but she knew that he would only reply that if she would give him the pin he would not trouble her further. An idea of asking help from the man who was in the driver's seat of the car brought only the same conclusion.
"Come, now," said Pollock, for it was by that name she thought of him. "I can't waste any more time. If you don't give me that pin in two seconds, I'll take it."
"Don't you dare!" exclaimed Iris, trying the effect of sheer bravado.
"Two seconds I'll give you, and they've passed. You needn't scream, for we're far from any habitation."
He came nearer to her, and touched the frill that was about the neck of her gown.
Iris was at her wits' end. She knew she would give up the pin rather than have him search her clothing for it, and yet, she meant to put off her surrender as long as possible.
His own words gave her a hint, and though knowing it could do no good, she screamed loud and long.
The sound infuriated the man, and he sprang at her, grasping her round the waist.
"Stop that!" he cried, "Stop or I'll kill you!"
His fingers were at her throat, and his frenzy was such that Iris feared he would carry out his threat on a sudden impulse.