His answer was: 'If you do, I will let the whole world know about your nigger wife.' I fell back as if stunned.

Terror seized me.

If he knew of my marriage might not others know it?
Might not it be already generally known?
These were the thoughts that coursed through my brain.

However, with an effort I suppressed my alarm.

Seeing that each possessed a secret that meant death and disgrace to the other (for I shall certainly kill myself if I am ever exposed) I entered into an agreement with him.
"On the condition that he would prepare a statement confessing his guilt and detailing the circumstances of the crime and put this paper in my hand, I would show him my marriage certificate; and after that, each was to regard the other's secret as inviolate.
"We thus held each other securely tied.