Page:William Le Queux - The Temptress.djvu/66

Rh promise of secrecy now, at once, or before the day is out I will give you up to the police."

Jack Egerton drew a long breath, and his countenance grew visibly paler. He was cornered, and saw no possible means of evading the dire alternative. If he divulged the secret, it would mean disgrace, ruin, even worse.

She smiled triumphantly at his bewilderment. It was true, as she assured him, she held the trump card, and was playing the dangerous game dexterously, as only a clever, scheming woman could.

"Which do you choose?" she asked in a cool, indifferent tone, as if putting forward some very common-place plan.

"You're an idiot," he exclaimed in vehement disgust.

"I'm well aware of that fact, mon ami," replied she, with a supercilious curl of the lip. "Such a compliment is particularly appropriate. I was an idiot to allow you to have the freedom you now enjoy. Remember, however, I have yet a talisman that will sooner or later cause you to cringe at my feet."

"Never."

"Then you must put up with the consequences," she answered calmly, nervously twisting the ribbons of her sunshade. "But I warn you, that if we are to be enemies you will find me even more merciless than yourself. Your own folly alone will bring upon you the retribution you so richly deserve."

"Bah! what's the use of being dramatic? If it's a fight between us, your record is quite as black as mine."

"Ah! you would have to prove that; but in the meantime I should have the satisfaction of seeing you sent to penal servitude. You have been acquainted with me long enough to know that I do nothing by