“You proposed it yourself. You suggested that I was to help you.”
“But then I thought you all right. Now I know you are a traitor. You would not help me.”
“If I promise——”
“I will accept no promise from you. A man who has been false once will be false again. You must die!”
Bart began to realize that he could not deceive the maniac in such a manner; but he was thinking that Elsie had rushed away for aid, and this talk might give her time to bring help. So Bart went on talking. After a time, however, the doctor seemed to suspect his purpose.
“It’s no use,” he grinned, as he went to a closet in the wall, from which he took a long black knife. “I know what you are trying to do, but there is no hope for you. They will not come to your aid. And even if they did, what could they all do against me? Why, I could handle them like a giant among children.”
He was feeling of the edge of the knife with his thumb.
“It is sharp,” he nodded. “One slash of this will do the work, and I shall be stronger when it is over, for all your strength will go into my body.”
“Is that how you won your strength?” asked Bart, still hoping help might appear.
“I’ll not tell you! You have betrayed me, and I’ll tell you no more. Your time has come! I am going to make quick work of you. I’ll not torture you. One strong, swift stroke, and the knife will finish you. Brace up, now. You’re white. Show that you are not a coward.”