“I have already done so, Rattray.”
“Murder is simply nothing to them!”
“It is nothing to me either.”
“Human life is nothing!”
“No; it must end one day.”
“You won’t give your word unconditionally?”
“No; you know my condition.”
He ignored it with a blazing eye,his hand upon the door.
“You prefer to die, then?” “Infinitely.”
“Then die you may, and be damned to you!”
CHAPTER XVII
THIEVES FALL OUT
The door slammed. It was invisibly locked and the key taken out. I listened for the last of
her young lips. She stood as an angel brought to book by devils; and so noble was her calm defiance, so serene her scorn, that, as I watched and listened; all present fear for her passed out of my heart.
The first sound was the hasty rising of young Rattray; he was at Eva’s side next instant, essaying