Dance of Death Read Online Free PDF Page B

thought. Angry because I broke my promise and told her about the laboratory.
    â€œI followed Tobias when he wasn’t paying attention,” Honoria said. “You mustn’t blame him, Justin. It wasn’t his fault.”
    â€œThat’s not true—” Tobias began.
    Justin laughed. “But of course I won’t blame Tobias,” he said. “How can I blame him for wanting to be with you? If you were my fiancée, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight, Honoria.”
    Justin took a step closer to her. Tobias clenched his hands into two tight fists.
    He’s always flirting with her, he thought. Always trying to take her away from me.
    Honoria took a quick step back. Tobias breathed a sigh of relief.
    She doesn’t even want to be near him, Tobias reminded himself. I’m the one she wants to be with. Honoria loves me.
    â€œI’ll go up to see about your dinner, Tobias,” Honoria said, trying to maneuver around Justin. “You’ll come up very soon, won’t you?”
    â€œAs soon as Tobias and I have a little discussion,” Justin answered before Tobias could say anything.
    Tobias felt a spurt of anger. He forced it down.
    All I have to do is translate these papers, Tobias thought. Then Honoria and I can be married and go away together. We’ll never have to see Justin again.
    Until then, I must remember how much I owe him. How good he’s always been to me.
    Honoria hurried out of the lab. Her haste made herclumsy. She bumped into Tobias’s instrument table, knocking over a tray of sharp scalpels.
    â€œOuch!” Honoria cried.
    â€œHonoria, what is it?” Tobias said, hurrying forward. But Justin was closer.
    â€œIt’s nothing,” he said, quickly stepping in front of Tobias. “She’s just cut herself. I don’t think it’s very deep. I’ll take care of it.”
    Justin pulled a snowy white handkerchief from his coat pocket and pressed it to Honoria’s wound.
    â€œHere,” he said. “This should help stop the bleeding.”
    Tobias could hear Honoria’s unsteady breathing. “Justin,” she gasped. “You’re pressing too hard.”
    â€œNonsense, my dear,” Justin said. “The pressure is what stops the bleeding. Remember, I’m the doctor, so I ought to know.”
    â€œLet go of her,” Tobias cried, springing forward.
    â€œCalm down, Tobias,” Justin said sharply. “There’s no reason for alarm. There, see? The bleeding has stopped.”
    He whipped the handkerchief from Honoria’s cut hand and stuffed it in his pocket. “You can go up to dinner now, Honoria,” he continued. “Tobias will be along in a moment.”
    Honoria brushed past Justin. She laid a trembling hand on Tobias’s arm. “Tobias,” she said in a low voice. “I don’t want you to stay here. I don’t want to go back through that horrible passage alone. Come with me now, Tobias.”
    Tobias didn’t know what to do. Which was more important? His debt to Justin or his love for Honoria?
    I wouldn’t be able to marry Honoria if it wasn’t forJustin, he thought. He’s the one who made it possible for me to support myself. I don’t have much. But what I have, I owe to Justin.
    â€œI must stay to talk with Justin,” he answered. “Take one of my candles. I’ll come up as soon as I can.”
    â€œOh, Tobias,” Honoria whispered. Her beautiful blue eyes filled with tears. Without another word, she took the candle and ran from the laboratory.
    You better have a very good reason for keeping me here, Justin, Tobias thought. He hated to see Honoria so unhappy. Trying to keep hold of his temper, he turned to face Justin Fear.
    Justin was hunched over Tobias’s desk. He studied the notes Tobias had begun to make on the papers.
    He’s forgotten all about Honoria, Tobias thought.
    â€œYou’ve done it,