CHAPTER SIXFor a moment the Marquis could hardly believe what Aspasia was saying as she cried in a frantic tone,
“Bollard will – torture me to – tell him – where Jerry is. I cannot – bear it!”
The Marquis lifted her away from him and onto the bed.
Then, as he stepped onto the floor, he said,
“No one will hurt you. Stay here and I will lock you in. Try not to be afraid.”
The calm way he spoke checked Aspasia’s gasping cries for a moment. Then, as he put on a long dark robe and reached for the loaded pistol that was beside his bed, she said,
“Be – c-careful. Please – be careful. Supposing they – hurt you?”
“I shall be all right,” the Marquis said. “Get under the bedclothes and keep warm until I return.”
He went from the room as he spoke and she heard the key turn in the lock.
Then,
