Her pretty mouth was a little firmer and the tilt of her dainty chin a bit higher.
"Of course, I can't pay you," she said.

"You are the sort of man who would resent an offer of payment for what I am about to ask you to do.
But I must have help.

If I don't have it, and quickly"-- she shuddered slightly and tried to smile--"something very unpleasant will happen, Mr.
Holt," she finished.
"If you will permit me to take you to Captain Rifle--" "No.

Captain Rifle would question me.

He would demand explanations.