“I refuse,” said Lupin.
“I’m going to gaol that girl,” said Guerchard savagely; and he took a step towards the door.
“Not for long,” said Lupin quietly. “You have no proof.”
“She’ll furnish the proof all right herself—plenty of proofs,” said Guerchard brutally. “What chance has a silly child like that got, when we really start questioning her? A delicate creature like that will crumple up before the end of the third day’s cross-examination.”
“You swine!” said Lupin. “You know well enough that I can do it—on my head—with a feeble child like that; and you know your Code; five years is the minimum,” said Guerchard, in a tone of relentless brutality, watching him carefully, sticking to his hope.
“By Jove, I could wring your neck!” said Lupin, trembling with fury. By a violent effort he controlled himself, and said thoughtfully, “After all, if I give up everything to you, I shall be free to take it back one of these days.”
“Oh, no doubt, when you come out of prison,” said Guerchard ironically; and he laughed a grim, jeering laugh.
“I’ve got to go to prison first,” said Lupin quietly.
“Pardon me—if you accept, I mean to arrest you,” said Guerchard.
“Manifestly you’ll arrest me if you can,” said Lupin.