"What do you offer in return?"
"Immunity from prosecution."
"Is that all?"
"All! Colonel Darcy, I'd have you to know that it's left entirely to my discretion how to proceed against you. I have it in my power to order your arrest, with a certain term of imprisonment at hard labour."
"Would my evidence be used publicly?"
"I think I can assure against that in any case."
"What assurance have I that your government will play me fair if I turn state's evidence?"
Stanley thought a moment, and then handed him the Minister's open letter.
The Colonel perused it, nodded quietly, and said:—
"It will do. I accept the terms. Damn it, I can't do otherwise! Give me pen, ink, and paper. What do you want me to write?"