'
"'Go on,' I said.
"'At these words,' continued Nighthawk, 'I could see the man turn pale.
He had not intended _that_, he said. His scheme had been, that madam
should induce you to bestow upon her a splendid trousseau in the shape
of jewels and money, with which they would elope. The marriage was only
a farce, he added--he did not wish to turn it into a tragedy. But she
interrupted him impatiently, and said she hated and would have no mercy
on you. She would have all or nothing. Your will made her the mistress.
What was a crime, more or less, to people like themselves! At these
words he uttered a growl. In a word, she added, you were _an obstacle_,
and she was going to _suppress you_--with or without his consent. She
then proceeded to tell him her resolution; and it is a frightful, a
horrible one, sir! All is arranged--you are about to be _murdered_!'
"'How, and when?' I said.
"'This very night, by poison!'
"'Ah!' I said, 'explain that.'
"'Madam has provided herself with strychnine, which she will place in
the tea you drink to-night. Tea will be served in half an hour. _He_
will be waiting--for she forced him to agree--and your cries will
announce all to him. You will be poisoned between eight and nine
o'clock in the evening, sir,--at ten you will already be dying,--and at
midnight you will be dead.
Pages:
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525