Page:RidersOfSilences - Max Brand.djvu/153

Rh It would be like a murder in cold blood if I were to send you after him."

"But he's here—he's one of us, this man who's bothered you."

She could not help but answer: "Yes."

He scowled down at the floor.

"You would never be able to guess who it is. Give it up. After all—I can live through it—I guess."

"It's something that has saddened you. Do you know, we've been so much together that I can almost read your mind, in a way. Why are you smiling?"

"I wish that you could read it—Pierre—at times."

He took her face between his hands and frowned down into her eyes. At his touch she grew very pale and trembled as if a wind were striking against her.

"You see, you've been so near to me, and so dear to me all these years, Jack, that you're like a sister, almost."

"And you to me, Pierre."

"But different—nearer even than a sister."

"So much nearer!"

"It's queer, isn't it? But you can't forget this trouble you've had. The tears come up in your eyes again. Tell me his name, Jack, and the dog—"

She said: "Only let me go. Take your hands away, Pierre."

He obeyed her, deeply worried, and she stood for a moment with a hand pressed over her eyes, swaying. He had never seen her like this; he was