"Well—why don't you do it?" he asked.
"I don't want to—not unless I must."
"It would be an expensive business."
"I don't know. I've paid so much already—it might be better to go on paying——"
"To get what you set out to buy? You don't need to worry about that. I may still keep my share of the bargain. I have other plans. So you had the draw on me all the time? Who would have thought so gentle a bosom could hide so much deadliness?"
"I have always carried it," she answered simply. "It may seem theatrical—but I realized—this might happen."
He smiled ironically.
"You are very cool—very brave, Sigrid. You—you inflame my admiration. Won't you sit down? It is very early yet."
"I would rather you unlocked the door. I am tired."
"And sick with disgust? I can quite understand. You are white to the backbone." His voice shook with an uncontrollable despair. "Still, I warn you—if I open the door, I win. It is guarded. You see, I took precautions—but I don't want that. I—I have that much English blood in me—I'll fight fair."