"Why should I do that? Why should I take your word any more than you should mine?"
"Because I have never deceived you in anything. Because I have been perfectly frank and open always. It is utterly useless, Evelyn. You can obtain absolutely nothing from me in that way. I have been deceived too often to allow you to do it again. These papers are in my possession now, and there is no power that could tempt me to part with them. I will not ask you to make your decision to-night, but I shall take the liberty of calling upon you at your own house to-morrow when you can give me your answer. And now I shall be grateful if you will let me alone."
Miss Chandler drew herself up coldly, her arms folded upon her breast.
"You have had your opportunity to speak uninterruptedly, now do me the favor to listen to me," she said, slowly. "I may tell you that I do not in the least doubt the truth of what you have said, but I shall go further. The very fact of not doubting makes me all the more determined that nothing shall prevent me from securing those papers, not even murder! Do you hear me? You know that I did not pause at theft, and I tell you that I shall take the risk for what it promises. There is not a human soul that knows I came here to-night. What proof, therefore, would there be against me? If you will give up those papers willingly, I will divide with you the fortune that I shall receive through being the wife of Lynde Pyne. If you refuse I will have them, cost what they may!"
There was not the slightest doubt in Leonie's mind that Miss Chandler meant what she said.
She threw a quick glance about her to see where the pistol she had dropped was, and also to locate the knife which she knew Liz had.
She saw the revolver immediately. It lay directly behind Miss Chandler upon the floor.
In order to get it she would be forced to leave the papers she was guarding unprotected, and possibly not even then could she reach it.
The knife she saw, with a shiver of terror, was upon a table not a foot from Miss Chandler's hand, and, as though attracted by the direction of Leonie's eye Miss Chandler turned hers in that direction.
She smiled, seeming to comprehend the thought that had flashed through Leonie's brain, put out her hand calmly and grasped it by the handle.