FELLOW-CRIMINALS
"Stand precisely as you are, Douglas Guest. If you turn your head, or take a single step towards me, you are a dead man."
Douglas was not a coward, and the sound of a human voice dispelled in a moment the vague fears which had caused his heart to leap. He remained immovable.
"Under those circumstances," he answered steadily, "I can assure you that I have not the slightest intention of moving. Who are you, and what do you want with me?"
A hard little laugh. Again the click of a revolver.
"I want from you several things. First of all, and most important, the address of the writer of that letter which you have just been reading."
"That's precisely," Douglas said, "what I should like to know myself.
The lady does not give it."
"You are very near death, Douglas Guest. Her address?
"I am not in the habit of swearing," Douglas answered, "but upon my oath it is not in this letter. Upon my oath I do not know it."
He caught the sound of a sob, but when he would have turned his head there came again the sharp click of the revolver and an angry exclamation from his unseen adversary.