She saw that his averted face was set like a stone mask.
"It's none of my business," he said, speaking through rigid lips.
She turned from him with a gasp of horror and sprang for the door.

But in an instant he wheeled, thrust out a great arm, and caught her.

His fingers closed upon her bare shoulder.
"Columbine!" he said.
She resisted him frantically, bending now this way, now that.

But he held her in spite of it, held her, and slowly brought her nearer to him.
"Stand still!" he said.
His voice came upon her like a blow.

She flinched at the sound of it--flinched and obeyed.
"Let me go!" she gasped out.