"I intend to make myself Emperor of Africa," he declared, "and I intend to make you my empress."
"Peter!" she cried. "Are you crazy?"
"Yes, I am crazy for power, for riches, and for you."
"You can never do it, Peter. You know how far-reaching are the tentacles of the power we serve. If you fail it, if you turn traitor, those tentacles will reach you and drag you down to destruction."
"When I win my goal, my power will be as great as theirs, and then I may defy them."
"But how about these others with us, who are serving loyally the cause which they think you represent? They will tear you to pieces, Peter."
The man laughed. "You do not know them, Zora. They are all alike. All men and women are alike. If I offered to make them Grand Dukes and give them each a palace and a harem, they would slit their own mothers' throats to obtain such a prize."
The girl arose. "I am astounded, Peter. I thought that you, at least, were sincere."
He arose quickly and grasped her by the arm. "Listen, Zora," he hissed in her ear, "I love you, and because I love you I have put my life in your hands. But understand this, if you betray me, no matter how well I love you, I shall kill you. Do not forget that."
"You did not have to tell me that, Peter. I was perfectly well aware of it."