He had seen the girl a number of times; he had talked with her twice.

Each time when he had talked with her he had felt the heat of a great desire seize him.

And during his talk with Singleton he had yielded to the impulse that was now driving him.
Just why the impulse had come to him at that instant he could not have told.

He knew Kane Lawler's name had been mentioned in connection with the girl's; and it might have been that his hatred of Lawler, and the sudden jealousy that had developed in him over the incident of the fluttering handkerchief, had gripped him.

But he was aware that just at this time he was risking much--risking his life and jeopardizing the business venture in which he was engaged.