“‘Oh, yes, you will,’ he said, mockingly, ’and the sooner you do so, the better—for you.’
“‘I have said, I will not,’ I repeated.
“The same ominous, sarcastic smile: but suddenly it faded out, and was replaced by an expression of alarm. ’You—you have not destroyed it?’ he asked, abruptly.
“It seemed to me that he had suggested a means for terminating the situation. This time, without a qualm, I lied. ’Yes, I have destroyed it.’
“‘Good God!’ he cried, and stood still, aghast.
“Edward Bolen stepped forward. He tugged at Bernard Peixada’s elbow. He pointed toward me. ’Don’t you see, she’s lying?’ he demanded roughly. Bernard Peixada started. The baleful light of his black eyes pierced to the very marrow of my consciousness. He searched me through and through. ’Ah!’ he cried, with a great sigh of relief, ’to be sure, she’s lying.’ His yellow teeth gnawed at his under lip: a symptom of busy thinking. Finally he said, ’You have not destroyed it. I advise you to tell us where it is. I advise you to lose no time. Where is it?’
“‘I will not tell you,’ I answered.
“‘I give you one more chance,’ he said; ’where is it?’
“‘I’ll will not tell you.’
“‘Very well. Then we shall be constrained—’ He broke off, and whispered a few sentences into Edward Bolen’s ear.