It was a horrid sound in the darkness.
'You are brave, Mr Storekeeper, but I have seen a brave man's courage ebb very fast when he saw the death which I have arranged for you.
Would you like to hear something of it by way of preparation ?' In a low gentle voice he began to tell me mysteries of awful cruelty.
At first I scarcely heard him, but as he went on my brain seemed to wake from its lethargy.

I listened with freezing blood.

Not in my wildest nightmares had I imagined such a fate.

Then in despite of myself a cry broke from me.
'It interests you ?' Laputa asked.

'I could tell you more, but something must be left to the fancy.