"Then he's kind to women, at least," said Amaryllis.
"When I met him, he was in for five years—murdering his wife."
"Why?"
"Found her in company he wasn't fond of," said Dick, "so he threw her out of window."
"And the—company?"
"Pépe slit its throat."
Amaryllis shuddered.
"No," resumed Dick, "you won't find any pretty Idylls of the King gadgets about Pépe. He gave you all his coca-leaves because he regarded you as El Cojeante's woman—that's all."
"Do you?" asked Amaryllis, and her colour for the first time matched her head-gear.
"For to-day—of course," he answered. "You're my daughter—and don't you forget it."