"Yes—I can guess."
"So you see the time draws nigh for you to die."
"God only knows."
The villain frowned. "But before you go you must do something for me."
"And that?"
"You must write her a letter telling her that your only hope of soul resurrection and salvation lies in her obeying me. She now considers me a dangerous magician, but I want her to regard me as a sort of deity."
"I will not do it, Belleville. You ought to know me better by this."
"I think you will," said he. "That is if you really care for her. You see it will save her a lot of—let's call it inconvenience. With such a weapon as your message I can rule her kindly. But rule her in any case I shall. If you deny me I'll gag you this moment so you can't make a sound, then I'll bring her here and beat her as I would a dog. How will you like that?"
"I'll write the letter," I said huskily.