No one could be more averse from cruelty than I am, but you were present with me some months ago when Toussac silenced the man from Bow Street, and certainly it was done with such dexterity that the process was probably more painful to the spectators than to the victim.

He could not have been aware of the horrible sound which announced his own dissolution.

If you and I had constancy enough to endure this--and if I remember right it was chiefly at your instigation that the deed was done--then surely on this more vital occasion--' 'No, no, Toussac, stop!' cried the thin man, his voice rising from its soft tones to a perfect scream as the giant's hairy hand gripped me by the chin once more.

'I appeal to you, Lucien, upon practical as well as upon moral grounds, not to let this deed be done.

Consider that if things should go against us this will cut us off from all hopes of mercy.