I swear that if I take you back to the Wekusko we'll get you all." "_If_, M'seur ?" "Yes--_if_." "And that 'if'-- " Jean was straining against the table.
"It rests with you, Croisset.

I will bargain with you.

Either I shall take you back to the Wekusko, hand you over to the authorities and send a force after the others--or you shall take me to Meleese.

Which shall it be ?" "And if I take you to Meleese, M'seur ?" Howland straightened, his voice trembling a little with excitement.
"If you take me to Meleese, and swear to do as I say, I shall bring no harm to you or your friends." "And Meleese--" Jean's eyes darkened again, "You will not harm her, M'seur ?" "Harm _her_!" There was a laughing tremor in Howland's voice.

"Good God, man, are you so blind that you can't see that I am doing this because of her?
I tell you that I love her, and that I am willing to die in fighting for her.