Page:The woman, the man, and the monster (IA womanmanmonster00dawe).pdf/351

 A weird flash, like the light of an unholy knowledge, played across his face. Through that light she saw the desperate resolve. There was no hope for her now, not even the least vestige. And yet her quick brain, rarely at fault, was striving to find a way out. To rise, to scream, would but precipitate matters. The man, however mentally afflicted, was still physically powerful, and she knew that mad- ness added strength. That way there was no outlet. In a moment those great lean fingers would choke the life out of her. Desperately she looked round the room, his desperate eyes following her. Almost it seemed as if he read her thoughts, and that he found the process entertaining.

“Trene!”

HeVIES ii

“You once were kind to me.”

She started, but could not wholly suppress the gasp that rose in her throat.

“You, too, were kind once,” she answered in a low tremulous tone.

“Let me be kind again.”

Was it the cue—the heaven-sent word?

Her heart almost stopped beating.

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