“You can murder me,” replied Ada, “but I cannot perceive that it is your interest to do so.”
“Why not?”
“Let me go freely, and I promise not to disclose the secret of your place of concealment. He who is waiting, if he be an enemy to me as well as to you, may be satisfied with my capture, or perchance my death, and leave you undisturbed to pursue your own course. If he prove a friend to me, which from my heart, Jacob Gray, I verily believe, for the voice I heard address me by name carried in its tones truth and sincerity, then you will have less to fear, for I here promise not to betray you.”
Gray was silent for several moments after Ada had spoken. Then bending down his mouth, close to her ear, he said in a low, agitated voice,—
“Ada—there is another resource.”
“Indeed?”
“Yes—but one man keeps guard above.”
“I understand you. You will risk a contest with him?”
“No—no—no!”
“What mean you then, Jacob Gray?”