De Spain put up his hand to his neck, and looked down at a loose end hanging from his soft cravat. It had been torn by the bullet meant for his head. He tucked the end inside his collar. A Calabasas man tried to untie it a few minutes ago. He missed the knot.
Tenison did not hear the answer. He had reverted to his case. De Spain moved on and, after making the round of the scattered tables, walked again through the archway into the anteroom, only to meet, as she stood hesitating and apparently about to enter the room, Nan Morgan.
CHAPTER VIII THE GAMBLING-ROOM
This was hardly for more than an instant. Then her lips tightened, her eyes dropped, and she took a step to one side to avoid de Spain and enter the gambling-room. He stepped in front of her. She looked up, furious. What do you mean? she exclaimed with indignation. Let me pass.
The sound of her voice restored his self-possession. He made no move to get out of her way, indeed he rather pointedly continued to obstruct her. Youve made a mistake, I think, he said evenly.
I have not, she replied with resentment. Let me pass.
I think you have. You dont know where you are going, he persisted, his eyes bent uncompromisingly on hers.
She showed increasing irritation at his attempt to exculpate her. I know perfectly well where I am going, she retorted with heat.
Then you know, he returned steadily, that youve no business to enter such a place.
His opposition seemed only to anger her. I know where I have business. I need no admonitions from you as to what places I enter. You are impertinent, insulting. Let me pass!
His stubborn opposition
showed no signs of weakening before her resolve. One question, he said, ignoring her angry words. Have you ever been in these rooms before?
He thought she quailed the least bit before his searching look. She even hesitated as to what to say. But if her eyes fell momentarily it was only to collect herself. Yes, she answered, looking up unflinchingly.
Her resolute eyes supported her defiant word and openly challenged his interference, but he met her once more quietly. I am sorry to hear it, he rejoined. But that wont make any difference. You cant go in to-night.
I will go in, she cried.
No, he returned slowly, you are not going innot, at least, while I am here.
They stood immovable. He tried to reason her out of her determination. She resented every word he offered. You are most insolent, she exclaimed. You are interfering in something that is no concern of yours. You have no right to act in this outrageous way. If you dont stand aside Ill call for help.
Nan! De Spain spoke her name suddenly and threateningly. His words fell fast, and he checked her for an instant with his vehemence. We met in the Gap a week ago. I said I was telling you the exact truth. Did I do it?
I dont care what you said or what you did
Answer me, he said sharply, did I tell you the truth?
I dont know or care
Yes, you do know
What you say or do
I told you the truth then, I am telling it now. I will never see you enter a gambling-room as long as I can prevent it. Call for help if you like.
She looked at him with amazement. She seemed about to speakto make another protest. Instead, she turned suddenly away, hesitated again, put both her hands to her face, burst into tears, and hurried toward the stairs. De Spain followed her. Let me take you to where you are going?
Nan turned on him, her eyes blazing through her tears, with a single, scornful, furious word: No! She quickened her step from him in such confusion that she ran into two men just reaching the top of the stairs. They separated with alacrity, and gave her passage. One of the men was Lefever, who, despite his size, was extremely nimble in getting out of her urgent way, and quick in lifting his hat. She fairly raced down the flight of steps, leaving Lefever looking after her in astonishment. He turned to de Spain: Now, who the deuce was that?
De Spain ignored his question by asking another: Did you find him? Lefever shook his head. Not a trace; I covered Main Street. I guess Bob was right. Nobody home here, Henry?
Nobody we want.
Nothing going on?
Not a thing. If you will wait here for Bob, Ill run over to the office and answer those telegrams.
De Spain started for the stairs. Henry, called Lefever, as his companion trotted hastily down, if you catch up to her, kindly apologize for a fat man.
But de Spain was balked of an opportunity to follow Nan. In the street he ran into Scott. Did you get the story? demanded de Spain.
Part of it.
Was it Sassoon?
Scott shook his head. I wish it was.
What do you mean?
Deaf Sandusky.
Calabasas?
Scott nodded. You must have moved a couple of inches at the right nick, Henry. That man Sandusky, Bob smiled a sickly smile, doesnt miss very often. He was bothered a little by his friends being all around you.
The two regarded each other for a moment in silence. Why, asked de Spain, boiling a little, should that damned, hulking brute try to blow my head off just now?