Well, then, what would you do, under such circumstances, if it were morally as impossible for you to give your word and then break it, as it were physically impossible for you to throw the intruder out of the window?
There does not seem to be much left that it could be possible to do, does there?
Lynne hitched himself still higher in the bed and threw back the clothing that covered him; then, clad only in his pajamas, he swung his legs around over the side of the bed, and thrust his feet into a pair of bath slippers that were within reach.
Then he sat quite still, with his hands resting on his knees, while he bent forward just a little and peered smilingly into the face of the burly, red-headed, but nevertheless handsome, scoundrel who was now holding the automatic pistol with the muzzle of it covering his heart.
The thing that had awakened Lynne from sleep was the switching on of the electric lights when Mike entered the room, so that now, with four incandescents glowing, the room was shadowless.
“No funny business now, Lynne,â€� said the intruder. “You can give me that promise just as well without getting out of bed—so stay there.â€�
“Well, I won’t stay there, Mike, and that’s all about it,� was the cool reply. “I’ve got to think this thing over.�
“Rats! There isn’t anything to think over. All you’ve got to say is ‘yes; I’ll do it, Mike,’ and after you have said that, we’ll arrange the details, and then I’ll put my gun back in my pocket, and hit the trail. You can do that just as well where you are, as——â€�
“Look here, Mike, a man doesn’t give away two millions without making conditions, does he? You wouldn’t, would you?�
Red Mike permitted himself to grin.