But some women--Miss Barbara, for example--seem to have greater
powers of resistance than others. We had to employ a rather
drastic form of the third degree for her, didn't we, Strangwise?"
He laughed waggishly.
"And you'll be none too easy either," he added.
"You beasts," cried Desmond, "but just you wait, your turn will
come!"
"Yours first, however," chuckled Bellward. "I rather fancy you
will think us beasts by the time we have done with you, my young
friend!"
Then he turned to Strangwise.
"Where's Minna?" he asked.
"With the girl."
"Is the girl sleeping?"
Strangwise nodded.
"She wanted it," he replied, "no sleep for four days... I tell
you it takes some constitution to hold out against that!"
"Well," said Bellward, rubbing the palms of his hands together,
"as we're not likely to be disturbed, I think we'll make a
start!"
He advanced a pace to where Desmond sat trussed up, hand and
foot, in his chair. Bellward's eyes were large and luminous, and
as Desmond glanced rather nervously at the face of the man
approaching him, he was struck by the compelling power they
seemed to emit.
Desmond bent his head to avoid the insistent gaze. But in a
couple of quick strides Bellward was at his side and stooping
down, had thrust his face right into his victim's.
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