But Zani Chada knew all men,
and he knew this one. When Daniel Kerry declared that in given
circumstances he would kick Zani Chada to death, he did not mean
that he would shoot him, strangle him, or even beat him with his
fists; he meant precisely what he said--that he would kick him to
death--and Zani Chada knew it.
Thus there were some moments of tense silence during which the
savage face of the Chief Inspector drew even closer to the gaunt,
yellow face of the Eurasian. Finally:
"Listen only for one moment," said Zani Chada. His voice had
lost its guttural intonation. He spoke softly, sibilantly. "I,
too, am a father------"
"Don't mince words!" shouted Kerry. "You've kidnapped my boy.
If I have to tear your house down brick by brick I'll find him.
And if you've hurt one hair of his head--you know what to
expect!"
He quivered. The effort of suppression which he had imposed upon
himself was frightful to witness. Zani Chada, student of men,
knew that in despite of his own physical strength and of the
hidden resources at his beck, he stood nearer to primitive
retribution than he had ever done. Yet:
"I understand," he continued. "But you do not understand. Your
boy is not in this house.
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