Page:The Whisper on the Stair by Lyon Mearson (1924).djvu/144

 “You have,” answered Val. “Why should I promise any such fool thing—and what means have you of forcing me to do it, in case I should refuse?”

“You can promise what I ask because it means that if you do life will be a great deal easier for Miss Pomeroy than it has been since you came into the picture. If you don’t⸺”

“Are you threatening harm to Miss Pomeroy?” grated Val harshly. “By God, if harm comes to her in the slightest way through you I’ll carve your liver out, do you hear me? I’ll take you apart to see what makes you go! Don’t think for a moment that because you have me trussed up here⸺”

“Words, my boy, words. Talk is very economical—doesn’t cost much. You’re not in a position to make any threats, because you’re going to promise me that you’re going to go out of Miss Pomeroy’s life for good.”

“And if I don’t?”

The other looked at him calmly, dispassionately for a moment, seeming to weigh his words.

“If you don’t,” he said at length; “ah, yes, if you don’t, to be sure. Well, if you don’t, you’ll have to be—er—removed, that’s all. You won’t be the first man whose mouth has been sealed by—er—an untimely demise. A pity, too,” he said, shaking his head commiseratingly, “you’re young, and a rather nice looking boy. Really, too nice to have people filing past you and saying sadly, ‘Doesn’t he look natural!’ Now, you’d better be sensible and do what I ask, because I assure you that I’m not bluffing in the slightest⸺”

“Aw, go to hell!” interrupted Val, bad temperedly. “I want to get some sleep.”

“You’ll sleep when I get done with you—perhaps