It was a throw-back to all that was roughest in him. Again the girl shook her head.
“Why?”
The man’s tone was unchanged. It was compelling. For another moment Claire hesitated. She remembered the fashion in which he had hurled himself to her defence before, and the thought of the thing he might do caused her hesitation. It was the simple truth, or complete denial. The latter was impossible. She laughed a little mirthlessly.
“It’s the thing we once talked of,” she said.
“You mean—Max?”
Claire nodded.
“What is it? Tell me?”
“It was the night before—before I saw you last.”
McLagan nodded. His eyes were almost savage.
“He told me there was word of a hold-up for my automobile. He offered to accompany me. He assured me no ‘hold-up’ would happen with him there. It didn’t. In the automobile he offered me jewellery. I refused it. Then he said something. Do you want what he said?”