He came towards her—ugly and threatening.
“I’ll do something in a minute,” he declared savagely,—“something you won’t like, either. Keep your mouth shut, I tell you. It’s me or him, and, by Heavens, he deserves what he’ll get!”
Streuss turned away from the window and looked towards Zoe.
“Young lady,” he said quietly, “let me beg you not to distress yourself so. I sincerely trust that nothing unpleasant will happen. If it does, I promise you that we will arrange for your temporary absence. You shall not be disturbed in any way.”
“And as regards your brother, have a care, young lady,” Lassen growled. “If any one’s in danger, it’s he. He’ll be lucky if he saves his own skin.”
The young man glowered at her.
“You hear that, you little fool!” he muttered. “Keep still, can’t you?”
Her face was full of defiance. He came nearer to her and changed his tone.
“Zoe,” he whispered hoarsely, “don’t you understand? If they can’t get what they want from Laverick, they’ll visit it upon me. They’re desperate, I tell you. They mean mischief all the time.”
“Yet you let him be brought here, your partner who looked after you when you were ill, and who helped you to get away!” she cried indignantly.