I nodded jerkily, swallowing to keep my heart down. In trying to back up, to get as far away from the other as I could, I pressed so hard against the cave’s white wall that it is a wonder that the stone didn’t crack.
The object of my horrified gaze sort of wound himself up for one of his long-winded speeches.
“In our other brief meeting, as I recall, I was in somewhat of—aw—frivolous talkative mood. That undoubtedly did not escape your attention. And for fear that you might harbor the erroneous impression, along with certain others with whom I have come in contact, that I am a man of idle, silly words and extravagant manners, and nothing else, I hasten, my young friend, in the interests of your continued welfare, to draw an illustrative parallel between myself and that universally treasured pet, the seemingly gentle house cat. The point is,” and his voice was steely now, “that even as the purring cat has hidden claws, so also may I!”
I saw what he meant. He was talking business and he wanted me to know it.
Letting his hidden threat have time to sink in, he added brusquely: [[215]]
“You know what I want. If you’ve got it, come across with it,” and he held out his hand, rubbing his thumb and finger tips.
As I say, I was scared speechless.
“Well?” he followed up sharply, with a gesture of impatience.
I shook my head.
“You haven’t got the money?”