Pell was beginning to crack beneath the strain.
Suddenly he began to pace the floor, his hands behind his back. No tiger in
a cage was ever more impatient in his captivity.
"If you want money," he finally got out, "for heaven's sake, tell me how
much, and ..."
Lopez quickly interrupted him. His fury boiled over at the insinuation. "Be
still!" he cried. "You will please be quiet. I 'ave business to sink out
which are 'ard."
Pell was equally angry. "Why, damn you ..." he sputtered.
He should have known better. Coldly Lopez took him in. "I 'ave been patient
wiz you--too patient. I see zat now." The other returned his keen gaze, and
for an instant he did not quail; but finally he could stand the strain no
longer. His eyes fell away, and for the first time in all their bitter
encounter he felt himself sinking. A terrible uncertainty came over him.
This Mexican, this beast, was going to do something desperate. There was
not the shadow of a doubt about that. He must go carefully: he must not
lose his self-control. To do so would be madness.
Luckily, Uncle Henry broke the tension just then: "Am I going to get my
money back?" he cried out. And his chair projected itself into their midst.
Pages:
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188