"Only do not begin to sharpen your tongue on those ladies," replied Gronski, "for I shall order the bottle removed instanter."
Swidwicki hugged it with both hands.
"I idolize--all three," he exclaimed with comic precipitancy.
"Of what kind of associate were you speaking?"
Swidwicki swallowed the wine and, closing his eyes, for a while appraised its value.
"I have with me from this morning some kind of gallows-bird, for whom the police are looking and, if they find him with me, they will probably hang us both."
"You, however, have given him shelter?"
"I gave him shelter because he was brought by one whom I could not refuse."
"I will wager that it was some woman."
"That is true. I can add that she is comely and one of those who excite in me a responsive electric current. But I cannot tell you her name, as she begged me to keep that secret."