Again she tried to scream, but his hand covered her mouth. His arm was suddenly around her. Then he started back with an oath and looked towards the door of her bedroom.
“Who is in that room?” he asked quickly.
“My maid,” she lied.
He took a quick step across the room. The door was flung open and Macheson entered. Wilhelmina fainted, but forced herself back into consciousness with a sheer effort of will. Sobbing and laughing at the same time, she tried to drag herself towards the bell, but Jean le Roi stood in the way. Jean le Roi was calm but wicked.
“What are you doing in my wife’s bedroom?” he asked.
“I am here to see you out of the house,” Macheson answered, with one breathless glance around the room. “Will you come quietly?”
“Out of my own house?” Jean le Roi said softly. “Out of my wife’s room? Who are you?”
The bone snapped, and the knife fell from the nerveless fingers. Page [301]
“Never mind,” Macheson answered. “Her friend! Let that be enough. And let me tell you this. If I had come too late I would have wrung your neck.”