"Jim nodded, and walked along to number forty-three, where--as Belcher told him Santiago had rooms on the first floor. On the opposite side of the street he saw Kidd with a green shade and picturesquely attired in rags, playing the part of a pavement artist. At the end of the street three or four boys were playing marbles. No one would suspect that either man or boys were spies. Jim fingered his revolver, and rang the bell.
"I want to see Mr. Joyce," he said to the slattern who opened the door, "my name is Nuttall, and I come from Don Manuel Santiago."
The slattern suspecting nothing from this calm address conducted Jim up the stairs. She opened a door and gave the message to Robin. Herrick heard his voice telling her to show in Mr. Nuttall, and he guessed from the sound of it that Joyce was uneasy. The slattern pushed Jim to the door and then dropped down stairs rapidly. She wanted to get back to her novel, for her mistress was away for the afternoon.
"Well Joyce and how are you?"
Robin gave a kind of squeal like that of a trapped animal, and fell back into the chair from which he had risen to welcome Mr. Nuttall. His face grew white, his jaw dropped, and he collapsed into a limp heap. Fright so paralysed his tongue that he could not speak. Jim smiled politely and closed the door. Then he took a chair opposite to the wretched creature.
"You are a proper little scoundrel," he said in withering tones, "I am sorry to see you brought so low as this, Joyce."
"What do you want?" cried Robin flaming into sudden fury. "Have you not humiliated me enough, but that you must come after me----"
"To find you in hiding with Don Manuel. Go easy Joyce, and keep a civil tongue in your head."
"I'd like to kill you," he muttered, his face distorted with fury.
"I have no doubt you would, and I have also small doubt but that your friend Santiago will try."