Then Hank: “It’s come day now, will you open? I want to have a word with you.”

The voice: “Yes. I will open, on one condition, that after I have drawn the bolts you will wait till I give the word before you come in.”

“Right.”

“If you don’t, I’ll shoot.”

“Right.”

They heard the bolts being drawn. Then, after a moment, giving her time to get to the other end of the cabin, they heard her cry, “Come in.”

Then her voice: “Well?”

Silence.

The voice: “Well—what on earth is the matter with you? Can’t you speak?”