would take her again--to-morrow--next week--next year. We shall never be
safe if we pay. Nobody will be safe--"

Her face was on his arm, sobbing close. "I hate--it!" she said brokenly,
"I _hate_--your--money! I want Betty!" The cry went through the
room--and the man was on his feet, looking down at her--

"Don't, Louie," he said--"don't, dear--I can't bear that! See, dear--sit
down!" He had placed her in the chair and was crooning to her, bending
to her. "We shall have her back--soon--now."

The telephone was whirring and he sprang to it.

The woman lifted her face, staring at it.

The Greek's deep eyes fixed themselves on it.

The room was so still they could hear the tiny, ironic words flinging
themselves spitefully in the room, and biting upon the air. "Time's
up," the Thing tittered--"Make it fifty thousand now--for a day. Fifty
thousand down and the child delivered safe--Br-r-r-r!"

The woman sprang forward. "Tell them we'll pay, Phil--give it to
me--Yes--yes--we'll pay!" She struggled a little--but the hand had
thrust her back and the receiver was on its hook.

"We shall _not_ pay!" said the man sternly, "not if they make it a
million!"

"I think they make it a million," said Achilles quietly.