Not only did they kill Hunter but they have brought this little man to death's door." The effect of these few harmless sounding words was electrical.
Monsieur de Courtois' angry demeanor suddenly changed to that of a sufferer almost as seriously injured as Steingall made out.

He collapsed utterly, and never lifted his head even when most drastic measures were enjoined on a couple of sturdy negroes as to the care that must be devoted to the invalid.
Steingall was astonishingly outspoken to Curtis and Devar while they were walking to the elevator.
"I am surprised that that miserable whelp escaped with his life," he said.

"Usually, in cases of this sort, the rascal who betrays his friends receives short shrift from those who make use of him.

He knows too much for their safety, and gets a knife between his ribs as soon as his services cease to be valuable." "I must confess that I don't begin to grasp the bearings of this affair," admitted Curtis.

"It is almost grotesque to imagine that a number of men could be found in New York who would stop short of no crime, however daring, simply to prevent a young lady from marrying in despite of her father's wishes." "Of course, the young lady figures large in your eyes," said Steingall with a dry laugh.