Guilty Bonds

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1895 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXII. THE VERGE OF A DISCOVERY. My first impulse was to call the police, but he noticed my intention, and his hand was laid hurriedly upon my mouth. "There's nothing to fear--I'm not the man," he said. "Make no noise, and keep your own counsel. I can tell you plenty about this, if you care to listen." The words fell dimly and indistinctly upon my ears. I was stunned and speechless--it was as if some vast substance had struck me an annihilating blow, which, while paralyzing my senses to a certain degree, yet left me half oblivious. It was clear we were in a cab, driving aimlessly about London streets at a late hour. It was also true that I had once more seen that fatal, horrible symbol, associated with which were the most terrifying and agonizing events of my life. I could not, however, speak, and it was only by great effort that I retained my courage. My companion stooped and picked up something that had fallen at our feet. It was the paper to which the seal was affixed, that had dropped from my nerveless fingers. Suddenly an icy-cold hand was laid upon my forehead. "Wake up! wake up!--be a man! I've told you to fear nothing with me. We're wasting precious time. Arouse yourself for once in your life!" My senses returned as suddenly as they had fled. The horror of feeling his hand--a hand that had in its possession the seal--recalled me. I sat upright and drew to my side of the cab as much as I could. ' Ah!" he exclaimed bitterly, ' you are still afraid of me. See here, now," and he leaned across, speaking deliberately and with quiet emphasis, "I may die to-night, but" "What!" I exclaimed, "you die to-night?" "Yes," he replied, in the same cool and determined tone. "You seem incredulous, but I am sure. Look!" He put his hand to the back of his head a...