She showed her white teeth in a grimace of fury.
“You mean I’ve got it right now? In my pocket?”
“Sure I mean that,” he said doggedly.
She heaved up a long, impatient sigh.
“You’re going to hear from my husband’s lawyers! That’s what! And right here and now I’m telling you sump’n, you four-flushin’ dog! You took the money, and shot that poor boob when he came in to see who it was breaking the tin! What were you doing in the room all dressed up ready to jump the first train out of London—and leave me flat? You sneak! Haven’t I worked hard for you? Haven’t I sat for hours making an exhibition of my darned ego for that soul-lizard? Didn’t I get out of him the story of Diana, and give you the script and band parts and light cues? Didn’t I pump him till there was noth’n’ left but the squeak and the handle? And—do—you—dare—to turn me down?”
He dared nothing. Her victory was complete when he began to make excuses.
“There was fifty thousand dollars in that safe. All I’ve got is a crossed cheque that’s as useful as confetti at a funeral. It will take two days to clear: Selsbury will be back to-night.”
“Fifty thousand dollars!” she sneered. “You told me nothing about that. Maybe you forgot it? You said there wasn’t a thousand pounds in the job. Didn’t you? You said you’d be glad if you got back expenses. Am I lying? And what’s that cheque anyway? Money she owed Dempsi? Great snakes—the money Dempsi threw at her! I told you that, and I’d forgotten it!”
She ran her fingers through her hair. Her smile was fixed and terrifying. The smile of the Medusas was jocund by comparison.
“I forgot about it until I got a note from her enclosing the money,” he protested. “Why, when that cheque came along, you could have blown me down. It was then I saw big money in the proposition and decided to go after the rest of the stuff. It looked easy to me.”