Public duty must conquer private scruples.

Nothing but the hand of Providence itself could have placed this deadly secret in my power so amazingly.

Away with all squeamishness, and perhaps prevent more murder.
But that "perhaps" gave me sudden pause.

I had caught up the letter, and stood near the candle to soften the wax and lift the cover with a small sharp paper-knife, when it flashed on my mind that my cousin would condemn and scorn what I was doing.

Unconsciously I must have made him now my standard of human judgment, or what made me think of him at that moment?
I threw down the letter, and then I knew.