Hague met the eyes of the incomprehensible man who watched him from beyond the table; he saw the gleam of the ring, as Séverac Bablon placed a pen within reach.
"You—must be—mad!"
"You will decidedly be mad, Baron, if you refuse, for I assure you, upon my word of honour, I shall lay those papers before those whom they will interest in the morning!"
"And—if—I give you such a——"
"Immediately your cheque is cleared I will return the papers."
"And—the diamonds?"
"I shall consider my course in regard to the diamonds."
"This—is robbery!"
"And your mode of obtaining the diamonds, Baron—what should you term that?"
"You mean to ruin me!"