"We can fix this business up in no time; so why not be sociable?"
He strolled to a chair and sank into it and motioned me to do the same.
"Thanks," I returned, not complying. "If you don't mind, I'd like first
to untie that woman. I confess to a queer sort of prejudice against
seeing women bound and gagged. In fact I feel so strongly on the subject
that it might spoil our whole conference for me." I took a step toward
the shadowy figure of Marie-Jeanne.
Blenheim did not move, but his eyes seemed to narrow and darken.
"Just leave her alone for the present. She is too fond of
shrieking--might interrupt our argument," he declared. "And see
here, Mr. Bayne," he added, warned by my manner, "I want to call your
attention to the gentleman on the stairs, my friend Schwartzmann. He's
a crack shot, none better, and he has got you covered. Hadn't you better
sit down and have a friendly chat?"
Though the stairs were dim, I could see something glittering in the hand
of the person mentioned, who was impersonating for the evening a dashing
young captain of the general staff.
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