He stood up and made a few paces to and fro, his hands locked behind him and his leonine head fallen low.
"Yes, why shouldn't you tell me! I think I understand already."
All desire to laugh went from her, and deep fear took its place; her eyes were held fascinated upon his interlaced fingers, white under their own terrific pressure; yet she understood that she must go on. If she failed, this mighty force would be turned against Harrigan; and Harrigan, not less grim in battle, as she could guess, would be turned against him.
She said quickly, to conceal her fear: "I thought there was some trouble between you and Dan. I asked him to promise that he would not fight with you. But I don't need to ask you to promise not to fight with him, for now that you know—"
He leaped up and beat his hands together over his head.
"And that was why! I taunted him and all the time he was laughing to himself!"
He stopped and then whispered to himself: "Still, it's only postponed.
The tune will come! The time will come!"
She understood the promise.
"Angus! What are you saying?"
He said quietly: "Harrigan's safe from me while you care for him. Do you think I'm fool enough to make a martyr of him? Not I! But when we get back to the world—"