"The whole length of the glass, to command as much view as possible. The effect will pass in three or four minutes, but you must not do it again. If you do, the glass will fly, and you will be in their hands. Desperate men they are, and though I shall be near, I might be too late to save you. See all you can, to be able to swear to them all."
"How shall I know the one?"
"I cannot tell you. I must leave it to your instinct, or your intuition. I only know myself that he is one of the four. My information, such as it is, was obtained very oddly, and I trust to this night's work to make it more precise. One thing more: No noise, if you value your life. Keep the bottle stopped. Don't let the stuff drop on you; don't put your eyes to it, or it will blind you for ever. There is very little of it, because it is so deadly."
"When shall I do it?"
"In one hour from this time. Take this repeater. I have shown you how to use it. Look well at it now, while you have the light."
I looked at the watch; it was nearly midnight.
"Am I to be left in the dark--all in the dark here, by myself?"
"Yes. I must be seen elsewhere, or the whole thing fails. They know me even in this dress, and they watch me as I do them. But for to-night I believe I have misled them. When it is over, wait here till I come for you, or the little girl you saw."
"Oh! I wish I had never come; and all so vague and indecisive!"
"You can go back now, if you please; though ever that would be dangerous."