‘Oh,’ said he, ready again with his plausible half-truths, ‘that is one of the secrets. Must I tell my lady part of it? There is an excellent hiding-place in the house, where my lord can bestow you most comfortably. You will want for nothing, and nobody will know that you are there, except the few faithful men who have guarded you here.’ ‘Indeed, if I am still to be a stowaway, I’ll stay here,’ said she. ‘If my lord will announce me publicly to all the island as his wife, then I will come and take my place at the head of his house; but without that I will not come.’ ‘Surely you will be able to persuade him to that yourself,’ said Vlacho. ‘But dare I make conditions with my lord?’ ‘You will make them in my name,’ she answered. ‘Go and tell him what I say.’ A pause followed. Then Vlacho said in sullen obstinate tones: ‘I’ll not go without you. I was ordered to bring you, and I will. Come.’ I heard the sudden rustle of her dress as she drew back; then a little cry: ‘You’re hurting me.’ ‘You must come,’ said Vlacho. ‘I shall call my men and carry you.’ ‘I will not come,’ she said in a low voice, resolute and fierce. Vlacho laughed. ‘We’ll see about that,’ said he, and his heavy steps sounded on the floor. ‘What are you going to the window for?’ she cried. ‘To call Demetri and Kortes to help me,’ said he; ‘or will you come?’ I drew back a pace, resting against the windowsill. Hogvardt’s lance was protruded before me. At that moment I asked nothing better than to bury its point in the fat innkeeper’s flesh. ‘You’ll repent it if you do what you say,’ said she. ‘I shall repent it more if I don’t obey my lord,’ said Vlacho. ‘See, my hand is on the curtains. Will you come, my lady?’ ‘I will not come,’ said she. There was one last short interval. I heard them both breathing, and I held my own breath. My revolver rested in my pocket; the noise of a shot would be fatal. With God’s help I would drive the lance home with one silent sufficient thrust. There would be a rogue less in the world and another chance for her and me. ‘As you will, then,’ said the innkeeper.