He is but death that comes at last,’
I suppose you think, eh, Colonel Rosenthal?”
“I have said so. But I would be glad to know why you press these questions upon me.”
“Now, do you see, I don’t think you would be glad to know? ‘Ignorance is bliss,’ my dear fellow, most especially in your case. Take some more brandy.”
“No, thanks; no more for me. Tell me to what all this talk tends, Major Monck.”
“‘Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till you approve the deed,’ I might say, only I can’t, because, you see, the ‘deed’ can’t be done without your knowledge, and, when it is done, you will be very far past ‘approving’ it!—Really, this Old London Dock is very much finer than the Otard. Let me persuade you to try it.”
“No! Tell me what you mean by this strange discourse.”
“Well, if you insist upon it, I will. Besides, it is really time to tell you. But light your cigar first. We can smoke while we talk. Well, then, I mean that I shall have to hang you in about an hour from this.”
CHAPTER XX.
THE WHISPER.
He speaketh low, he speaketh calm,