_your_ life," said Jill tersely, as she moved her hand slightly so that
her aim was on a dead level with a big button ornamenting an inch or so
of satin on the middle left of the man's undervest.

He stood like an image carved out of consternation, whilst streaks of
rage seemed to flash across his livid face. Be it confessed, he was
not in the least afraid, but no word in the Egyptian or any other
tongue could be found to express the depths of humiliation in which he
stood neck deep.

"Now, drink _this_ coffee!" said Jill pleasantly, pointing with her
left hand to the cup she had placed on the little table.

"_Never_!"

Jill smiled icily.

"I _thought_ as much. You scoundrel! So it is drugged, and I, having
drunk it, would have lain unconscious at your mercy. God! to think
that such brutes as you are allowed to live."

The man was watching the girl's every movement, ready to spring like a
cat from the area steps upon the unsuspecting sparrow in the road, but
neither her eyes nor her hand moved as she continued speaking very
gently.

"Listen! I should have killed you myself to-night, feeling myself
justified, so that other wretched girls should escape the fate you had
prepared for me--you, lower than the beasts of the field; but I am not
going to do it, as happily I know of one more powerful than I who will