"Stand as you are. If by chance you should see my face I will shoot you. I have killed men before, and I have no love for you."
Then Douglas knew that his assailant, if not a lunatic, was surely verging upon madness. He looked towards the door—the distance was too far. No answer occurred to him which seemed discreet, so he remained silent.
"As to her state of health, Douglas Guest. She has been ill."
"I know nothing save that she is better."
"Have you seen her since?"
"You were with her when she was taken ill?"
"I was," Douglas answered.
"You know the circumstances?"
"I know," Douglas said, "that she was the victim of a cowardly and infamous attempt at assassination."
There came a mocking little laugh. Douglas never turned his head, but he felt instinctively that his life was in danger—that a finger was laid upon the trigger of that revolver.