Kindly let me pass." De Chauxville's words were brave enough, but his lips were unsteady.

A weak mouth is apt to betray its possessor at inconvenient moments.

He waved Steinmetz aside, but he made no movement toward the door.

He kept the table between him and his companion.
Steinmetz was getting calmer.

There was an uncanny hush about him.
"Then I am to conclude," he said, "that you came to Russia in order to persecute a helpless woman.