"No! Why?"
"Because you are coming along with me."
"Where?"
"I am taking you to Count Sabatini," Arnold informed him. "He is at his villa about ten miles down the river."
Starling flopped upon his knees.
"For the love of God, don't take me to him!" he begged.
"Why not?"
"He is a devil, that man," Starling whispered, confidentially. "He would blow out my brains or yours or his own, without a second's hesitation, if it suited him. He hasn't any nerves nor any fear nor any pity. He will laugh at me—he won't understand, he is so reckless!"
"Well, we're going to him, anyhow," Arnold said. "I don't see how you can be any worse off than hiding in this beastly place. Upstairs and into the boat, please."
Starling struggled weakly to get away but he was like a child in Arnold's hands.