For years
she had represented to him a certain fabulous reward. In his
thoughts she had been but the personification of the pleasures and
luxuries that many francs would purchase. Now as she stood before
him pulsing with life and loveliness she suggested other seductive
and alluring possibilities. He came closer to her and laid his
hand upon her. The girl shrank from him. He seized her and she
struck him heavily in the mouth as he sought to kiss her. Then
Jenssen entered the tent.
"Malbihn!" he almost shouted. "You fool!"
Sven Malbihn released his hold upon the girl and turned toward his
companion. His face was red with mortification.
"What the devil are you trying to do?" growled Jenssen. "Would
you throw away every chance for the reward? If we maltreat her we
not only couldn't collect a sou, but they'd send us to prison for
our pains. I thought you had more sense, Malbihn."
"I'm not a wooden man," growled Malbihn.
"You'd better be," rejoined Jenssen, "at least until we have
delivered her over in safety and collected what will be coming to
us.
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