“You didn’t seem surprised when I told you.”
“I am surprised, of course.”
“Then why in God’s name don’t you make him give you some explanation?”
“Hasn’t he given you one?” she asked very low.
“Yes! Do you want to hear it?”
“’Dolph!” the other man fairly leaped at him.
“Wait a minute!” Cleeburg stretched out a hand. His throat was so parched, he could scarcely bring out the words. “Wait a minute! I’ve got to go through with this. I’ve got to know.” He turned to Gloria. “You asked if anything happened. The biggest thing has happened since you came into the room. I sent for you to tell you John was going. That means you lose the best support you ever had or will have. It knocked me out completely. And you take it without a murmur. You’ve got him under contract, yet you don’t make the ghost of an effort to hold him.”
Gloria’s voice shook as she answered.
“Why should I try to hold him against his will?”
“Why wouldn’t you put up the fight of your life to hold him—unless you’re afraid to?”