My brain worked quite lucidly now. As I looked at him, I suddenly realised that I had a golden opportunity for speaking to him unobserved. The gardens were absolutely deserted: the library wing was very still. If he were a man to be frightened into submission, my sudden appearance, following upon the receipt of the threatening letter, would be likely to help in achieving this result.
I walked softly down the steps to the window. I stood close up to the sill.
“Mr. Parrish,” I said, “Victor Marbran has sent me for his answer.”
In a flash he was on his feet.
“Who’s there?” he cried out in alarm.
His voice shook, and I could see his hand tremble in the lamplight as he clutched at the desk. Then I knew that he was badly frightened, and the discovery gave me courage.
“Are you going to settle with Marbran or are you not?” I said.
At that he peered forward. All of a sudden his manner changed.
“What in hell does this mean, Jeekes?”
His voice quavered no longer. It was hard and menacing.