"Will he promise it?"
"You will—won't you, Philip?"
"I will promise not to say anything to him," I replied.
"He is willing to promise," continued she.
"Then I won't let him loose. He is an obstinate mule, and ready to kick the one who does him a favor. Though I have been his best friend in Chicago, he volunteers to hunt me down like a wild beast. He has his reward."
"But what are you going to do with him?" inquired Marian.
"I intend to shoot him," replied Mr. Whippleton, as he took a draught from his bottle, and then produced a revolver, with which he toyed as though it had been a pet plaything. "I am prepared for the worst, and I shall never be safe while he is above the sod."
"Would you be a murderer?" asked Marian, with horror.
"Phil says I would, and I may be obliged to verify his words."
"I did not think you were such a monster!" exclaimed my fair companion, with a shudder.