"I've tried you SO, and I've tried you SO," he exclaimed fiercely,
between his teeth, "and you won't go." He began to swear horribly,
grabbing at the boots with his free hand. "Pretty soon I won't take you
at all; I won't, for a fact."
He was interrupted by a rush of feet upon the back stairs and a
clamorous pounding upon his door. He opened it to let in Maria Macapa,
her hair dishevelled and her eyes starting with terror.
"Oh, MISTER Schouler," she gasped, "lock the door quick. Don't let him
get me. He's got a knife, and he says sure he's going to do for me, if I
don't tell him where it is."
"Who has? What has? Where is what?" shouted Marcus, flaming with
excitement upon the instant. He opened the door and peered down the dark
hall, both fists clenched, ready to fight--he did not know whom, and he
did not know why.
"It's Zerkow," wailed Maria, pulling him back into the room and bolting
the door, "and he's got a knife as long as THAT. Oh, my Lord, here he
comes now! Ain't that him? Listen."
Zerkow was coming up the stairs, calling for Maria.
"Don't you let him get me, will you, Mister Schouler?" gasped Maria.
"I'll break him in two," shouted Marcus, livid with rage.
Pages:
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297