McLagan passed back the paper without a sign, without a word. And the girl went on.
“You know that note’s given me a notion, Ivor. Oh, I haven’t worried since I got that. And not a thing has happened. I haven’t even seen Max. But I’ve seen the boys one way and another. Those boys who’ve never failed to be good to me. They’re just the same. But to my mind there’s just one feller could have worded that note that way. It’s Jub—”
McLagan stirred.
“Leave it at that, Claire,” he broke in quickly. “It don’t matter who wrote it. But I’m kind of glad for that note, seeing I was away. But I’m right here now and you belong to me.” He stood up. He moved to an open window. For some moments he stood there with his back turned silently gazing out on the distant dome of the Speedway.
Claire watched him. His square shoulders seemed to fill up the whole of the window opening. He was so big and strong, and——
“Ivor!”
Her voice was low but urgent. The man turned after a moment and Claire drew a sharp breath. His face was almost livid with a consuming rage. He came back to her and stood before her chair.
“I’m going to settle with Max,” he said, through lips that scarcely moved. “No,” he denied, as Claire was about to protest. “It’s up to me,” he went on harshly. “That dirty Dago swine threatened you and would have carried out his threat if those Aurora boys hadn’t jumped in. Don’t you see? I do. Max would have put a bunch of sharps on to you. He’d have got at you by every trick of his dirty Dago mind until he’d got you skinned of your last dollar and were ready to squeal for mercy. Then, utterly helpless, he’d—— By God! he’s going to pay. He’s going to pay me. He’s fat and rich out of the weaknesses of the poor folk of this city, is he? We’ll see. We’ll——”
“No, no, Ivor!” Claire sprang from her chair. Her hands were held out in appeal. The terrible purpose shining in the man’s eyes frightened her. “Don’t do a thing. My dear, my dear, there’s been no harm done. Think of it. Thanks to those folk of the Aurora Clan, I’ve a complete laugh on him. I’ve a fortune, almost, in Victor’s bank. What does it matter? Sure it doesn’t, and then—and then in the fall we’ll be married and away from Beacon. No, no, Ivor, don’t look that way! Don’t act that way. You scare me. Besides, he’s powerful. He can buy up the toughs of this place. You might get—— No, boy, I can’t spare you now. I can’t! I surely won’t! Ivor, promise me.”
The girl’s appeal was not without effect. The man’s ferocity seemed to ease. And she almost fancied a smile was somewhere back of his eyes. He shook his head.