She drew back a little and looked at him earnestly.
"Your friend? Yes—and more—more than that, far more than you can dream of."
"Will you refuse, do you refuse, to do this for me?"
"Yes, I refuse."
"Then I will do it for myself," she said with a change of tone as though she had suddenly come to a decision. "I will let my husband do it for me. You cannot refuse to give me what is mine, what you have in your keeping."
But Brett drew back and folded his arms.
"I can refuse and I do refuse," he said.
"But you cannot! You have no right."
Her voice was almost breaking.
"That makes no difference," Brett answered firmly. "I have the power. I refuse to give you anything. You can bring an action against me for robbing you, and you will win your case, but by that time it will be too late. You may borrow money on your mere name, but your securities and title-deeds are in my safe, and there they shall stay."