But I again say that our personal safety is involved, and that, as far
as I see, there is no middle course. No one could be more averse from
cruelty than I am, but you were present with me some months ago when
Toussac silenced the man from Bow Street, and certainly it was done with
such dexterity that the process was probably more painful to the
spectators than to the victim. He could not have been aware of the
horrible sound which announced his own dissolution. If you and I had
constancy enough to endure this--and if I remember right it was chiefly
at your instigation that the deed was done--then surely on this more
vital occasion--'

'No, no, Toussac, stop!' cried the thin man, his voice rising from its
soft tones to a perfect scream as the giant's hairy hand gripped me by
the chin once more. 'I appeal to you, Lucien, upon practical as well as
upon moral grounds, not to let this deed be done. Consider that if
things should go against us this will cut us off from all hopes of
mercy. Consider also--'

This argument seemed for a moment to stagger the younger man, whose
olive complexion had turned a shade greyer.

'There will be no hope for us in any case, Charles,' said he. 'We have
no choice but to obey Rule 13.'

'Some latitude is allowed to us. We are ourselves upon the inner
committee.'

'But it takes a quorum to change a rule, and we have no powers to do
it.' His pendulous lip was quivering, but there was no softening in his
eyes. Slowly under the pressure of those cruel fingers my chin began to