rather be torn in little pieces than - than have them - hanged! “
“It is too good for most of them.”
“Promise!”
“To hold my tongue about them all?”
“Yes - promise!”
“Promise!”
“When a hundred lives were sacrificed - “
“Promise! “
“I can’t,” I said. “It’s wrong.”
“Then good-by!” she cried, starting to her feet.
“No - no -” and I caught her hand.
“Well, then?”
“I - promise.”
CHAPTER XV
FIRST BLOOD
So I bound myself to a guilty secrecy for Eva’s sake, to save her from these wretches,
respect for the house of his ancestors. It put me in mind of a neglected grave. And yet I could forgive a bright young fellow for never coming near so desolate a domain.
We dined delightfully in a large and lofty hall, formerly used (said Rattray) as a court-room. The old judgment seat stood back against