He had wicked little twinkling eyes--and they followed me about treacherously whenever I moved.

"You and I, Screw, are likely to quarrel," I thought to myself, as I tried vainly to stare him out of countenance.
I entered on my new and felonious functions forthwith.

Resistance was useless, and calling for help would have been sheer insanity.

It was midnight; and, even supposing the windows had not been barred, the house was a mile from any human habitation.

Accordingly, I abandoned myself to fate with my usual magnanimity.