"Leave this house," the girl commanded, but instead of obeying he moved toward her again menacingly, a disgusting smile on his lips.
He passed the end of the davenport and she, in turn, retreated to the far side.
"When I go, two of—"
"I take it that you heard what was said to you, sir."
At the sound of the intruding voice Hilton wheeled sharply. He faced Tom Beck, who stood in the doorway, framed against the black night, arms limp and rather awkwardly hanging at his sides, eyes dangerously luminous; still, playing across them was that half amused look, as though this were not in reality so serious a matter.
For an interval there was no sound except Hilton's breathing: a sort of hoarse gasp. The two men eyed each other and Jane, supporting her suddenly weakened limbs by a hand on the table, looked from one to the other.
"What the devil are you doing here?" Dick asked heavily.
"Just standin' quiet, waiting to open the gate for you when you ride out."
The Easterner braced his shoulders backward and sniffed.
"And if I don't choose to ride out? What will you do then?"