It was all in vain, however, setting his feeble will against that of the other, for little by little he felt the influence of the master mind dominate his own until at last all his resolution gave way with a rush, and in a quick, hurried voice, he told his tormentor all the events which had happened since he was playing cards with Philip Trevanna.
"Is that all?" said Roversmire, when Lancaster stopped in his recital from utter exhaustion. The young man made a motion with his head to signify it was, and the doctor, seeing that the effort had exhausted him both mentally and physically, made him drink another glass of wine, and then sitting down again in his own chair began to talk in a slow, deliberate manner.
"Judging from the explanation you have given me, you are in a very unpleasant position—however the man may be only stunned."
"No—no," interrupted Lancaster hurriedly, clasping his hands, "he is dead—I feel sure I killed him—oh, if I could only undo what I have done."
"That is impossible," said Roversmire a little sadly, "whatever we do always bears fruit either for good or evil, and we must abide by the consequences of our own acts—of course you killed Trevanna in a fit of passion, but I'm afraid such a plea will not hold good with a jury."
"Do you intend to give me up?" cried Adrian in a voice of anguish.
"By no means—I was only putting a supposititious case—far from wishing to give you up for a crime committed in such an irresponsible manner I am going to save you."
"But how?"
"That I will explain, but in order to do so I must tell you my history—it will sound like a romance to you, but luckily I shall be able to prove the truth of it to you by putting you in my own place."
"In your own place," said the young man in amazement.