name let us go before you madden us.”

Dolores turned her cool gaze upon him, drew her hand away easily yet without apparent effort, and crushed another pearl between her gleaming teeth.

“Pearls?” she repeated, tossing away the shattered gem. “Pearls, yes, friend. What of it? Do ye value these trifles, then? Pish! I have such things as these, aye, one for every hair on thy hot head. But let ye go — ha! That is in thy hands, my friend, thine and thy companions.”

“Yes, we know your price!” gasped Venner hoarsely, staring full into her eyes. “But what is to prevent us now, when we have you alone, and that great giant is away, from binding you fast and sailing away with the treasure you have already put in my vessel?”