Thus, for the second time within the rounding of the clock, did I and Tubal Ammon face each other; and 'tis small wonder that I, stiff as he, stared at him like one spell-bound. And as I stared, I remember wondering vaguely what had possessed him to remain thus, when he might easily have fled to safety in the dark-ness. Surely not the gold, for he had gathered most of that! What, then? Well, I was very soon to know.
Meanwhile the silence grew appalling, unsupportable. It must be broken.
"Once more!" I shouted.
"Once more," he answered, though in a voice so low and still as barely moved his lips.
"What would you have?" I asked, scarce knowing what I said.
Another silence followed, and then two words came hissing through it like a knife-thrust:
"Your life!"
Although this was no news to me, the utterance of it thus was something of a shock. A threat made face to face gains ugly meaning, especially from such a man as he who stood before me. I paused a moment, then said, slowly:
"Yes, truly, you would kill me and my father also. I am forewarned of that. For, look you, Tubal Ammon, all your foul plans are known to me. I have been listening long enough to hear them one and all."
At that he gave a little start, so small as scarcely to be noticed, then murmured: