“No,” said Peter. “A man who uses a coward’s weapons, is a coward at heart. We can prevent it, I think.” Then he turned to Curlew. “Tell Mr. Maguire about this interview. Tell him that I spared you, because you are not the principal. But tell him from me, that if a word is breathed against Mrs. Rivington, I swear that I’ll search for him till I find him, and when I find him I’ll kill him with as little compunction as I would a rattlesnake.” Peter turned and going to his dressing-room, washed away the ink from his hands.
Curlew shuffled out of the room, and, black as he was, went straight to the Labor headquarters and told his story.
“And he’ll do it too, Mr. Maguire,” he said. “You should have seen his look as he said it, and as he stood over me. I feel it yet.”
“Do you think he means it?” said Ray to Ogden, when they were back in Ray’s room.
“I wouldn’t think so if I hadn’t seen his face as he stood over that skunk. But if ever a man looked murder he did at that moment. And quiet old Peter of all men!”
“We must talk to him. Do tell him that—”
“Do you dare do it?”
“But you—?”
“I don’t. Unless he speaks I shall—”
“Ray and Ogden,” said a quiet voice, “I wish you would write out what you have just seen and heard. It may be needed in the future.”