It would now be a trial of skill between us.

If he could have believed that I was unable to do anything to free myself, I should have, perhaps, caught him unawares.

Now he would be prepared for everything I could do; he would check my every move.

If Kaffar were alive, he would have a thousand means of keeping him out of my way; if dead--well, then, I did not care much what happened.

If the latter, however, I determined to give up my life for Miss Forrest, to put myself in the hands of the police authorities, and tell of the influence Voltaire had exerted over me.
Meanwhile I must act, and that quickly; so I went straight to a private detective, a man I slightly knew.