Gelett Burgess

“ These conventionalities are too absurd to be endured. I'd like to know what's the difference between your calling on me in my room and my calling on you in yours! There's nothing wrong about your being here, Millicent, and you know it! ”

“ The fat was in the fire now, and her blush gave the man his cue. "Miss Raybridge visitin' her gentlem'n friend at eleven p.m. Scandal in high life. Prominent young clubman in trouble. By the way," he said, "I missed your name when we was introduced. What did you say it was?"
Oliver, white with fury, kept his silence as well as he could. Millicent's foot was tapping the floor. The burglar walked toward the secretary. "They's more'n one way to kill a cat besides a-kissin' of it to death," he remarked. "Let's have a look at the desk." ”

“ Miss Raybridge, have you got any objections?"
Millicent was visibly confused. The liberties the man had taken were past forbearance, and her pride rose. "It's none of your business!" she answered, in disgust.
The burglar smiled sarcastically. "Then your little bluff don't go," he remarked to Oliver. "This is so sudden, you know!" He looked audaciously at the two. "Pretty good match, though, for all I can see. Lady's a greyhound and the gent's well fixed." Then he turned to Millicent. "What's the trouble?" he asked ”

“ Abram Hewlett would think if she knew how long it took to get home."
"See here," cried Oliver, fiercely; "drop that, please! You had better quit. If you dare to insult this young lady with another comment, I'll kill you! Miss Raybridge is engaged to be married to me, and she has a perfect right to be here. If you think you can blackmail us you're mistaken. I've stood this long enough, and it's time we settled and you got out of this. Are you going to keep us here all night with this tomfoolery? Don't threaten me with that pistol ”

“ There was nothing for it, then, but to assent to this ridiculous and undignified arrangement, and Oliver and Millicent took chairs together, while the burglar seated himself comfortably on a wide couch. In his hand the revolver still twinkled wickedly.
Millicent's eyes ran from the clock to the burglar and from the burglar to the clock again. Every minute made the case harder. But the man grew more cheerful. "Got a smoke?" ”