"You haven't. You've deserted her, which isn't the same thing. I've found out all about you. You shouldn't be such a famous character."
Liosha stood speechless, for a moment, quivering all over, her eyes burning.
"He's married already—" she gasped.
"Certainly. He decoyed you here just to seduce you."
Liosha made a sudden spring, like a tigress, and had it not been for Jaffery's intervening boom of an arm, her hands would have been round Fendihook's throat.
"Steady on," growled Jaffery, controlling her with his iron strength. Fendihook, who had started back with an oath, grew as white as a sheet. I tapped him on the arm.
"You had better hook it," said I. "And keep out of her way if you don't want a knife stuck into you. Yes," I added, meeting a scared look, "you've been playing with the wrong kind of woman. You had better stick to the sort you're accustomed to."
"Thank you for those kind words," said he. "I will."
"It would be wise also to keep out of the way of Jaffery Chayne. With my own eyes I've seen him pick up a man he didn't like and"—I made an expressive gesture—"throw him clean away."
"Right O!" said he.