Belknap sprang to her and seized both her wrists in one vice-like grip.
“Nadia! you haven’t done it?”
“No, no, I haven’t done it, as you call it,” she whispered.
“What have you been doing then?”
“I have been running, my dear detective; don’t you see that?” She tried to laugh.
“Why? What from? I thought nothing could ever frighten you. Once and for all, Nadia Mdevani,” he continued as her eyes fell before his, “I ask you to keep out of this. Can’t you begin to see what I am here for? I am here for game, and you are not fair game. Or perhaps it’s that you are too fair.” His voice wavered. “Anyway, keep clear.”
“I can’t, Mr. Belknap. On my soul, I can’t. There is too much at stake. If I were the only one. But I am not.” She handed him a slip of paper that had been crumpled in her hand.
He took it to the table, and smoothed it under his palm.
“Did you follow instructions?” he asked, in a low voice. “Is that what the running was about?”
“No, no. I didn’t do it, on my word of honor.” Then her eyes suddenly lifted wide open. “There is someone in the hall behind me. Do you hear?” Her body was stiff, her face frozen.