“‘“Yes,” replied Bowles; “and that makes it necessary for us to swear the same thing.”
“‘“For Heaven’s sake, Ben,” replied Mrs. Ragland, “do not, I beseech you, ask me to add the awful sin of perjury to the long list of crimes that I have committed!”
“‘“Pshaw! Vick, we have crossed the dead line long ago, and it is too late to talk about retreating now; never will I move an inch toward the rear; I will win by boldness and audacity. If we were to attempt to fly now, it would insure our destruction, for we could not escape. Do as I tell you, dear Vick, and I will vouch for a favorable termination.”
“‘“Ah, Ben, you know too well how I love you; and you also know how much I would suffer and endure to serve and please you; but there is a mysterious influence, which I cannot describe, that constantly whispers strange words into my mind, telling me that my days are numbered, and that I shall soon be called to render an account of my sinful deeds.”
“‘“Come, Vick, don’t be so silly! I declare, you are continually talking about retribution and repentance!”
“‘“If all the wealth of the world belonged to me, I would willingly give it for a clear conscience! Oh, Ben, let us quit our wicked ways, ere it is forever too late, for I believe that I shall not live much longer—a sort of presentiment whispers of death to me continually!”
“‘“Stop, stop! Vick, I swear I will not listen another moment to this sentimental nonsense. Come, let us go in and take some champagne, and then you will feel better.”
“‘They then went into another room and remained until midnight, when Mrs. Ragland went home, accompanied by Bowles.’
“Wallingford was then turned over to Mr. Quillet for cross-examination.
“The usual smooth temper of the attorney-general had been considerably ruffled by the taunts and jeers that had been thrown at him by the other members of the bar, and notwithstanding he had lost all hopes of sustaining the prosecution, he had resolved to have his revenge, which he thought he could best secure by handling Harry Wallingford with gloveless hands. As soon as he commenced the cross-examination I could tell from his manner and the tone of his voice that he meant to cut deep; and I also knew that he was treading on very dangerous ground when he undertook the job.