If you have never been in a similar situation you can only have a faint conception of my feelings as I stood there, not daring to move lest I might set those concealed springs to going.
I do not think my bitterest enemy would accuse me of cowardice, and I don't think that my trembling just then was the result of cowardice on my part.
Such a feeling as came over me then I never had before and have never had since.
In reaching for the button of the window Woglom's hand was made a prisoner by the same means.
At once both commenced to wildly thrash about with their heels, in an attempt to get loose and make their escape.
"For Heaven's sake," I gasped, "keep your feet quiet. You may set the infernal machine at work."
But they only thrashed harder.
I momentarily expected to be blown to pieces, to be riddled by a teacupful of young bullets, a certainly not very pleasing reflection.
It occurred to me that it was a singular sort of position for a detective to be caught in, and I groaned as I thought of the laugh my brother professionals would have at my expense.
That I would eventually be able to exonerate myself, I had no doubt. But before I could do so I would of necessity be obliged to spend the remainder of the present night, and possibly several additional days and nights, in jail before being set free.