The things we do!

"
"Where should she go?" demanded yet another voice. "And why should
she not come back?"
Impatiently, the leader replied: "Where? I do not know. I do not
_want_ to know. I _must_ not know! Good God, must we not bear
ourselves in mind?"
"Then, sir, in case of her sudden return, you ask an agent?" said a
keen, clear, and incisive voice, which had not yet been heard.
"Gentlemen, shall we cast lots for the honor of watching the
Countess St. Auban in case of her undesired return?"
The grim demand brought out a hasty protest from a timid soul: "To
that, I would not agree." A sort of shuffle, a stir, a shifting in
seats seemed to take place all about the table.
"Very well, then," went on the clear voice, "let us employ
euphemism in terms and softness in methods. If we may not again
kidnap the lady, why may we not bribe her?"
"It could not be done," broke in the dark man toward the head of
the table. "If I know the facts, this woman could not be bought
for any ransom.


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