"You seem to have been doing some listening yourself," he said, as his lingers tightened unnecessarily upon her shoulder.
"Yes, I did, and it's lucky for you I did it. Will you promise not to give me away?"
"Of course I promise."
"Not even to Miss Rose?"
"Not even to Rosie."
"And if I help you, will you do me a favor?"
"To look at you I should say that I'd do you any favor you asked, and do it without expecting anything in return."
His pale lips were curled in a half-scoffing smile, but Violet's next words brushed from his flaccid face all traces of amusement.
"You remember that night you told Miss Rose about what you wanted to get at the next election? You said you were afraid of O'Malley giving you the double cross."
Dyker stiffened.