Conscience -- Volume 2

night had scarcely fallen, and

would not be able to go out without being seen by him. But though the passers were few at this moment, they might have observed him. Next to thi

e state in which he found himself at this moment. He felt himself firm, and his pulse, he was certain, beat regularly.

ting the key in her pocket. In her left hand she held something white that he could not see distinctly in the twi

d on, for she would be obliged to strike a match on the stairs to light her taper; and, in

st story; then, turning, he returned to the porte-cochere and entered quietly. By the gaslight in the vestibule he saw by his watch, which he held in his hand, that it was fourteen mi

ontinued on her way slowly. With rapid but light steps he mounted behind her, and, on reaching Caffie's door, he rang

affie

in the vestibule, no one on the stairs; fate was

ed into his mind. He would make a last attempt. If Caffie consented to m

that Caffie was at home. A scratching of wood on the tiled floor denoted that a chair had been pushe

dear sir!" Caffie

and closed the door him

" Caffie asked, as he l

aniel r

efore his desk, on which stood a lighted lamp. "I suppose you hav

young person that I

m so

inutes had passed since he left the vestibule; he must hurry. In order to ke

u in a

peal to you. Let us be honest with each other. Undoubtedly you think that, pushed by my distress

ch a thing, my dear

el stopp

se. Never will I lend myself to such a bargain. Renounce your project, and let us discuss my dema

r sir. I have taken a great deal of trou

effort

y dear

ss mysel

ve no rea

nd that your long experience in business makes yo

hat it breaks my h

is young, intelligent, courageous, who will drown if a hand is not held o

ncs! Nothing! Bless

ou refuse me,

ay by the fever of the situation, he raised them to look at Caffie, and to see the effect that

there was nothing but the glass. To tell the truth, two heavy curtains of woollen damask hung on either side of the window, but they were not drawn. Talking to Caffie, who was placed between him and this window, Saniel suddenly perc

om? He would be lost. In any case, it was risking an adventure so hazardous that he would be a fool t

e's life that he argued, it was to

eat to you what I have already said,

aning, as if this refusa

im to do but to go. It was finished, and inste

leave the room, an idea

for some time; it was twenty minutes after five;

id. "I am sure your sufferings are partly c

u thin

ld be warm about the head,

o the window to draw the curtain

Caffie said. "Doubtless the cords a

the window, holding it high in

gled the cords, and the curtains slid o

l of air did come in t

ou, my dea

a feverish rapidity t

ou are in a h

a great

ed at h

ime to give you a consul

not tro

not trou

ut

armchair, and sh

mself, Saniel continue

give good

hat, my d

d save me, and I give you a consul

he last, m

eath is be

ea

u not

N

see

my dear sir. One does not die because

and he half reclined in it. As his shirtcollar was too large for him since he had bec

ning, he cut the larynx under the glottis, as well as the two carotid arteries, with the jugular veins. From this terrible wound sprang a large jet of blood, which,

thrown the knife on the floor, looked at his watch and

two, t

ety seconds the c

five. Now it was important that he

produce the same effect upon a doctor as upon those who are not accustomed to its sight and odor, and to its touch. In spite of the luk

es of bank-notes and rolls of gold that he had seen the evening when the bank-clerk came. Roughly, without counting; he thrust them into his pocket, and without clos

d heard no noise. He went out, and no one was to be seen. Without running, but hastily, he descended the stai

treet mingling with the passer