Perhaps I might slip out of the back door and run for it, without my great coat or hat although the night was so cold and I should probably be taken up as a lunatic.

No, it was impossible for I had forged a chain that might not be broken.

I had passed my word of honour.

Well, I was in for it and after all what was there of which I need be afraid that I should tremble and shrink back as though I were about to run away with somebody's wife, or rather to be run away with quite contrary to my own inclination?
Nothing at all.

A mere nonsensical ordeal much less serious than a visit to the dentist.
Probably that stuff had lost its strength by now--that is, unless it had grown more powerful by keeping, as is the case with certain sorts of explosives.