"The black devil means murder." "Don't move, or he'll go at your throat," she answered.

"There's no danger to me.

He's been ordered to go to me and he won't let even Joan touch him.

See!" He had glided past the amazed, outstretched arms of Joan and went straight to Kate and stopped beside her, obviously expectant.

She reached for the slip of folded paper, and as her hand approached he crouched a little, growling; but it was only to caution her, apparently, and though he distrusted the hand, he allowed it to unfasten the missive.
She untwisted the note, she read aloud: "Kate, send Joan back to me or I come for her.