“Stay!” commanded the other, in a hoarse and unnatural tone.
The face that turned towards him with an air of easy surprise was wonderfully handsome, and now that it recognized an enemy in the man before it, as insolent as handsome.
“Who are you?” inquired Montgomery, in a calmer tone, of which the other possibly failed to note the full significance.
The stranger’s answer was to flick the ash from his cigar in the other’s face, and then to turn easily and coolly on his heel.
In an instant, Montgomery’s hand was on his shoulder, and the two men faced each other at bay.
“You met a lady just now, and you kissed her on leaving?” burst from between Montgomery’s white lips.
“I certainly did.”
“Do you know who she is?”
“Quite well.”
“And you dare to tell me that to my face?”