The shock of those words paralyzed Don’s wits for the space of five heartbeats. Backing off, he reached for the small but deadly automatic pistol concealed under his left armpit. An instant later he dropped his hands.
“I am at your mercy, it appears!” he said with a twisted smile.
The girl shook her dark head. Gliding closer she lifted her eyes to stare straight into his.
“It is Cho-San, not Lotus, whom you have cause to fear,” she said. “He believes you are working against Scorpia for your own interests, but he does not know the truth. I shall not tell him, Don Winslow, provided you have done no harm to Count André Borg!”
Don thought that over carefully. He read the meaning behind her words, and knew Lotus was in love with the dashing André. Besides she must be aware that Borg’s advertised escape was a mere blind. Why, then, did she not take revenge, for herself and her friends, by showing up the pseudo count without delay?
Puzzled, he put a question of his own.
“If I tell you that Count Borg is safe and well, except for a head wound like mine, how can you trust my word? A man in danger of his life is apt to say anything which will save it. How do you know I won’t lie to you, Miss Lotus?”
“You will not lie, for the simple reason that I am ready to believe your word,” the girl answered confidently. “That way, I put myself at your mercy. I trust myself to your honor, which you would rather die than betray. Is it not so, Don Winslow of the Navy?”
With a silent laugh Don threw up his hands.
“You win, Miss Lotus!” he admitted. “The truth is that Count André Borg is well and will come to no harm, in spite of any past crimes he may have committed. It is a long story, but ...”