The other man remained stock-still. He knew what the hand in Ling's pocket was gripping. His mind was actively seeking for a solution of the immediate problem. Ling held the doorway, the only exit from the room, and he recognised perfectly well that this man, whose friends had twice before made attempts to secure his silence, was little likely to let him go again. If he had not made over the gun to Peggy he could have felt on more level terms.
"Sherlock Holmes would have carried it a bit further," he said. "Has it flashed across that limpid intellect of yours that I'd take care not to put my head into the lion's jaws if I'd not taken precautions to keep them propped open. If this place isn't surrounded now it will be in five minutes. Those friends you missed won't be put off a second time."
Ling started. Then his features relaxed and he laughed.
"Good bluff," he said. "You nearly had me stampeded that time. But it's no go. You've sent out no message since you came in and if you'd given it before the splits would have been here by now." He spat on the boarded floor. "Say, Mr. Hallett," he went on with the air of a man laying down a tentative business proposal. "I've got you now cold. Suppose we come to terms. I'm willing to overlook the compromising circumstances of your little jaunt with my wife tonight--"
"That's enough," ordered Hallett coldly. "If you insult this lady again, gun or no gun I'll smash your lying tongue down your throat."
"Tut, tut!" The green eyes gleamed amusedly on the young man. "I must be careful. I didn't mean to get your goat. We'll call it off then. What I'm aiming at is this. There's no sense in making thingsmore uncomfortable than we've got to. If you put me to it I've got to see that you keep out of mischief. Give me your word that you'll take the first boat back to New York and never say anything about what you may know and I'll take it. That's fair, and it isn't everyone who would do it."
"You want to get me out of the way?"
"That's so. Stay out of England for a year and keep your mouth shut."
Jimmie stroked his upper lip. "That's very obliging of you, Ling. I feel flattered at your supposition that , I should keep my word. I seem to be an embarrassment though I don't know why."
"You are an embarrassment."
"Why?" repeated Jimmie artlessly.
He had one hand behind his back and was signalling to Peggy. He hoped fervently that she would understand what it meant and pass the pistol. Once he regained that he could close the conversation when he liked.
"Cut it out," retorted Ling. "You don't need telling. I'm making you a fair offer. Will you take it or leave it?"
Hallett's concealed hand waved frantically. Would she never understand?" My dear friend," he said airily. "Can't you see I'm trying to make up my mind. I haven't your faculty of quick decision. My wits move slowly. If you'd only tell me why. You'll forgive me, but I don't quite see where you come in. I could understand why some people should wish me er disposed of, but although I dislike your appearance and your ways, there's nothing I could do would hurt .you. Why can't you live and let live?"
Ling eyed him doubtfully. "This is funny, isn't it? I'm not going to stay here all night. I've sent for some people who won't be disposed to argue with you. You'd better hurry and make up your mind."
It was evident that the girl would never understand the meaning of that signalling hand. Jimmie shrugged his shoulders and remained in an attitude of thought. A querulous voice came from the outer room.
"Peggy!... Gone away again." The voice was like that of a plaintive child except that an unchildlike oath slipped out. "And she calls herself a sister... leaving me here like this... alone with the old man ... all alone. with the old man.... I tell you I didn't I couldn't.... He's a liar.... Peggy, come and take him off.... Those long fingers long, lean scraggy fingers.... He'll strangle me. ... Blast it, why don't you come and take him off."
The high-pitched voice rang out in shrill alarm. Ling had taken a pace back into the other room, but he was too cautious to take his eyes off Hallett. "It's Errol," he laughed. "Gave me a start for a minute. Make's you feel as if someone's walking over your grave."
"He's delirious," cried Peggy. "I must go to him." She raised her voice. "All right. I'm coming."
"Not by a jugful you don't," said Ling. "He won't hurt for five minutes. I don't allow anyone to get behind me till Mr. Hallett here's made up his mind not even you, Peggy."
The voice inside moaned and then burst into a series of insane chuckles. "He's going now.... He thinks he's going to get away but he won't.... It's no good your hiding.... I can see you. I'll get you this time."
Through the open door Jimmie could now see him. He had pulled himself off the pallet and, lamp in hand, was advancing stealthily towards Ling, crouching ashe moved and still chuckling. Jimmie's hand fell calmly on the back of the chair nearest him. Things were coming his way.
The changing shadows caused by the lamp-light told Ling something of what was happening. His head shifted to look over his shoulder for the fraction of a second just long enough for Jimmie to lift the chair and bring it down with crushing force. Ling crumpled limply and went down.
"Ha, ha!" shrieked Errol. "That's got the old devil.... Now we'll burn him... we'll make sure this time."
Before either of them could anticipate his purpose he had flung the lamp on the stunned man. There was a smashing of glass and a bolt of flame shot upwards. Peggy Greye-Stratton sprang forward with a horrified cry, but already Jimmie had his coat off and spread over the flames which had begun to lick at Ling's body. Luckily the reservoir of the lamp was of metal and little of the oil had escaped. In a few minutes he had the flames under.
He stood up, breathing hard. The girl was coaxing her brother back to bed and he was still weakly shouting in his delirium. Hallett went to her aid, but he found his help unnecessary. Errol was as weak as a kitten. He lay on his mattress panting.
"I can manage now," she said. "You had better go, Mr. Hallett. He said he had sent for help. Go go quick."
"I don't know about that. It's impossible to leave you here alone now."
Errol, exhausted, had fallen asleep once more. She came over to Jimmie. "It's no worse for me now than it was before. Besides, what can you do. You will be sacrificing yourself for no reason at all." She literally pushed him towards the door. "Please, please," she entreated.
A little thrill of delight passed through him as he recognised that all her alarm was for him. There was reason in her persuasions, too. Any danger that she was in was not likely to be either increased by what had happened or diminished by his further presence. He would only be exposing himself to the needless risk of being cut off by Ling's friends.
"I suppose I'd better," he said reluctantly, "but first I'll have a look at Ling. I didn't hit him as hard as I might, but it would be as well to make sure."
She permitted him to return to examine Ling, and as soon as he had reassured himself that the man was only stunned he contemplated his work with some satisfaction. Here and there the blazing oil had scorched his clothes, but had done no further damage.
"Hurry," said the girl. "Oh, do hurry."
"Just one moment." He hastily ran his hands through the unconscious man's pockets. A few papers from the breast pocket he stuffed into his own. In the right-hand jacket pocket he found a pistol, which he also took possession of. He stood up.
"There, that's done."
"You are going now?'
"Yes, I'm going." He caught both her hands in his impulsively. "If things had been different, Peggy if--if--"
She released herself, flushing hotly. "You mustn't you mustn't!" she cried. "Oh, why don't you go."
"Good-bye," he said abruptly and swung out on to the dark stairs.