METROPOLIS do so," dried up in his throat. He did not stir from the one spot. You live very well here," said Slim, leaning back and sur. veying the room with a sweeping movement of his beDQ. "Everything of a soft, half-dark tone. The atmosphere about these cushions is a tepid perfume. I can weH understand how difficult it will be for you to leave this 8at." It! have no such intention, however," said ]osaphat. He swallowed. Slim pressed his eye-lids together, as though he wisbed to sle.~p. •• No.... Not yet.... But very soon.... "I should not think of it," answered ]osaphat. His eyes grew red, and he looked at Slim) hatred smouldering.in bis gaze. "No.... Not yet.... But very soon...." Josaphat stood quite still: but suddenly he smote the air with his fist, as though beating against an invisible door. "What do you want exactly?" he asked pantingly. What is that supposed to imply? What do you want hom me-?" It appeared at first as though Slim had not heard th.. question. SleepUy, with closed eye-lids, he sat there, breath. ing inaudibly. But, as the leather of the chairback squeaked under Josaphat's grasp, Slim said, very slowly, but very clearly: "I want you to tell me for what sum you will give up this 8at, Josaphat." ".... When?" ...n "Immediately." " What is that supposed to mean.• , . Immedl. ately? " Slim opened his eyes, and' they were as cold and bright as a pebble in a brook. "Immediately means within an hour. . • . Immediately means long before this evening...." A shiver ran down Josaphafs back. The hands on his hanging arms slowly clenched themselves into Bsts. "Get out, sir. . . ." he said quietly. "Get out of here-I Now-J At once-I lmmediately!-" "The Bat is very pretty," said Slim. "You are unwilling to
92
