She gave a hopeless little shrug of her shoulder.
"It is because you are wholly evil, wholly, that you puzzle me. And yet you are not unintelligent; you must know, mere experience must teach you, there is a price to be paid!"
"Certainly." Landon laughed again, a mocking laugh. "I sketched it in outline to your—your lover—may I have the felicity of calling him that?—when I enjoyed his company in the silo on the road to El Dibh."
The color flamed to her cheek.
"You are insolent!" she said, and again Landon laughed.
"Or merely premature?" he asked gaily. "After all, for the moment hospitality must engross me and nothing else." He turned and beckoned to some one unseen. He received a basket.
"Bread, cheese, wine," he explained. "Will you help yourself while I assist my other guests? Or, if they choose, they may assist themselves. But I must have your words, my friends, that you will not attempt violence or escape if I release your hands."
The two prisoners exchanged glances. Then Miller held out his fettered wrists.
"As you will," he said quietly. "Temporarily I give you my parole. I retain the right to withdraw it."
Landon nodded and looked at his cousin.