"Then I think you'd better meet me," said the voice coolly. "I can make trouble, you know."
The man's lips curled back in a rather mirthless smile.
"You'll get no good by it."
"If you refuse to meet me that won't deter me," said the voice. "Either you come to terms or I wreck the whole thing. I mean that. I can do it, too. "Half a loaf is better than no bread," and I have got just half a loaf. Well?"
Collins' fingers tightened on the receiver as though it had been someone's throat. "All right. But don't ring me up here again. I'll meet you. I don't know when I can get off. I'll let you know."
"Thanks, you can let me know now," said the voice.
"I tell you I can't get off at a moment's notice. You ought to know that. I'll see you on my evening off alone."
"You will see me today," said the voice, stating a fact. "Certainly, alone."
"It's not safe. I can't get away for so long."
"I don't mind coming to you," said the voice obligingly. "If you're wise you'll manage to slip out for half an hour."