But he obeyed with a brisk promptitude of manner, like one who saw
a prospect of escape opening before him, and as he went he saw that
Ella had relapsed into her former indifference and was once more
giving all her attention to bathing her wrists with eau-de-Cologne;
and he saw, too, that Deede Dawson, following close behind, kept
always his revolver ready.

"Perhaps he only wants to get me out of her way before he shoots,"
he reflected. "Perhaps there is room in that packing-case for two.
It will be strange to die. Shall I try to rush him? But he would
shoot at once, and I shouldn't have a chance. One thing, if
anything happens to me, no one will ever know what's become of poor
Charley."

And this seemed to him a great pity, so that he began to form
confused and foolish plans for securing that his friend's fate
should become known.

With a sudden start, for he had not known he was there, he found
himself standing on the threshold of that attic of death. It was
quite dark up here, and from behind Deede Dawson's voice told him
impatiently to enter.

He obeyed, wondering if ever again he would cross that threshold
alive, and Deede Dawson followed him into the dark attic so that
Dunn was appalled by the man's rashness, for how could he tell that
his victim would not take this opportunity to rise up from the
place where he had been thrust and take his revenge?