Page:The Death-Doctor.djvu/281

Rh "As far as I can see my best course is to make a statement to the police," I said, my manner entirely changed.

"To give me away!" she cried. "I—I thought you were my friend."

But I only lit another cigarette, laughing in her ugly face.

Her wrinkled countenance went pale as death. Then, a second later, she turned crimson in anger.

"Dr. d'Escombe, you are, indeed, clever. You have induced me to make a clean breast of the affair, and having done so, you refuse to help me."

"Madam," I said in a low, earnest tone, "I am an honourable man. I do not take human life without compunction, as did your German friend."

"But surely your scruples can be put aside? Five thousand pounds is a substantial sum, remember."

"And you will profit how much? You have French notes of the face value of seventy thousand. If they are worth anything at all you can get fifty thousand for them from persons who, like yourself, deal in such commodities. And you offer me five thousand!"

"It is a good fee for five minutes' work, is it not?"