"This--this is worse than highway robbery! In my own office you--you positively threaten----"
"Threaten! I'll do more than threaten! Quick! Are you going to fork up or am I to break every bone in your body?"
"I--I--I will not be bullied----"
"Bullied! I'll show you!" She snatched up a stout malacca cane which stood by Mr. McTavish's table, and which was that gentleman's property. "To start with, I'll splinter this over your bodies, then I'll smash everything else in the place, and you into the bargain. Now is it going to be the coin or----"
The hand holding the stick went up into the air, the gesture rounding off the sentence with sufficient significance.
"You wicked woman! how dare you threaten me with my own stick? Help! Where is that policeman?"
"Policeman! Do you think I care for a policeman? Not that much!"
Down came the stick with a swishing sound through the air. As it descended Mr. Luker caught the lady by the wrist.
"Mrs. Lamb, I do implore you to pause a moment for consideration. I reiterate my conviction that if you will only exercise a little patience this matter can be settled amicably and without violence."
"Luker, if you don't want to let yourself in for a little handling on your own account you'll let go of my wrist."