“Well, then, if you are so sure, give me in charge.  It will not be very much opposed to my wishes, for by so doing you will set the whole machinery of the law of England on Kaffar’s trail, and I promise you it will find him.  English law is hard on murderers, but all evidence is put through a very fine sieve in an English court of justice.  Kaffar is not an ordinary-looking man, and from Scotland Yard our police authorities hold communication with all other police authorities in the civilized world.  I tell you, man, your trumped-up story would be torn to pieces in five minutes, and in the end you would be safely lodged down at Dartmoor for fourteen years.”

He sat silent a minute, as if in deep thought; then he said slowly, “Mr. Justin Blake, you think you have outwitted Herod Voltaire!  Continue to think so.  I shall not give you in charge—­not because I believe in your paltry story, but because I should lose Miss Forrest by so doing, and I cannot afford to do that, if for nothing else than to spite you.  You think you are free from me.  Wait.  You think Kaffar is to be found—­well, wait.  But, I tell you, you shall repent all this.  I will marry the woman you love, and then I will lead you such a life as you never conceived.  You shall pray to die, and death shall not come.  You shall suffer as never man suffered.  The condition of the Christians whom Nero used as torches shall be heaven to what yours shall be.  Meanwhile—­”

All this time he kept looking at me, and his words were uttered with a nervous force and intensity that was terrible.  I felt a strange chilling sensation creep over me, and involuntarily I sat down.  No sooner had I done so than he gave a savage, exultant yell.

“You are mine again!” he cried.

It was a terrible struggle.  His will and mine fought for the mastery—­his strengthened by a knowledge of laws of which I was ignorant, and constant exertion of it; mine, by a new life which I had but lately begun to live, by a strength given me through communion with my Maker.

For a minute I was chained to the seat.  My senses were numbed, and, all the while his terrible glittering eyes rested on mine.  Then my strength began to return, and I again stood up, and in a few seconds I was master of myself.

“Coward,” I said, “you sought to take me unawares.  You have done your utmost, and I am your master, even now.  Now go, and bear this in mind, that the right and the truth shall be triumphant.”

I rung the bell as I spoke, and the servant appeared.  “Show this gentleman out, Mary,” I said.

Never shall I forget the look of hatred that gleamed from his eyes as he left the room.  If ever a man looked possessed of an evil spirit, it was he; but he did not speak.  He walked down the stairs without a word, and then out into the street.