The Vestibule Limited Mystery — page 151: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

142 THE VESTIBULE LIMITED MYSTERY. Perhaps she realizes now the awful nature of the crime in which they have been engaged. Still I do not pity her. It may teach her a lesson, and be- — sides, up to now the suffering has all been on the other side. It is only fair she should share it. “Is what you tell me true, man?” asks the doughty colonel, gloomily. “Every word of it. There is no help for it—you must accept my terms.” “Tell me again what you propose.” “My terms? Certainly. You hand me the papers, — and I guarantee that none of you will be suspected of having had anything to do with the death of Robert Hammond.” . “Have you power to do this?” suspiciously. “Yes, [can promise you immunity from the con- sequences of that affair. As I stated before, the facts are known only to myself. I shall destroy that paper, go away, and no one will ever be the wiser for 1t.” “Will vou swear to do this?” he asks, eagerly. I readily understand the position Andrews finds himself in. He may not fully believe that I can do as Il say; but with him just now it is indeed Hob- son’s choice. There is no other way than of ac- cepting. “TY give you my solemn word of honor that if you do as I say you will not be molested on account of Robert’s death. I will go away, and leave you in peace,” I remark. The man seems torn with conflicting emotions, _ At one moment he almost grovels at my feet, and the next he glares at me in such a savage manner that I actually fear for my life, and wonder if it may not be possible that he has a touch of insanity