Page:The Whisper on the Stair by Lyon Mearson (1924).djvu/143

 great if thereby he might achieve that which he desired.

It roused a streak of unreasoning obstinacy in Val, an obstinacy that had often won over his better and more sensible instincts. He was rich; he was young; he was presentable; women liked him; headwaiters adored him; his own way had been accorded to him as a matter of course, and it rasped on him to find that here was another man who insisted on having his own way, and who usually had it. Well, they would see.

“Just what do you propose to do with me?” he asked. “What is it you wish from me, that you should go to all this trouble⸺”

“I’ll tell you, my friend,” put in Teck. “I want your word that you will withdraw from this—er—this affair—you know what I mean—and stay withdrawn. I want you to promise that you will not attempt to communicate with Miss Pomeroy in any way—that you will not continue your acquaintance with her; an acquaintance, by the way, which I warned you would turn out badly for you. You refused to heed the warning and⸺”

“And just look at me now,” finished Val.

“I also want your word that you will make no mention of anything that has gone before in this affair to any one⸺”

“Not even the police?” mocked Val.

“Not even the police—though I don’t believe you would do that, anyway, because the slightest mention of the matter would bring Miss Pomeroy into the limelight. In a word, I want your promise that you will step out of the lives of myself and Miss Pomeroy at once, and stay stepped out. Have I made myself clear?”