swear out their lives as we direct them; as I direct, if you prefer

the phrase. So now you are to guess your part of glory if you

choose to die. On the one hand, life, wine, women, and a duke to

be your handgun: on the other, a rope to your craig, and a gibbet

to clatter your bones on, and the lousiest, lowest story to hand

down to your namesakes in the future that was ever told about a

hired assassin. And see here!" he cried, with a formidable shrill

voice, "see this paper that I pull out of my pocket. Look at the

name there: it is the name of the great David, I believe, the ink

scarce dry yet. Can you guess its nature? It is the warrant for

your arrest, which I have but to touch this bell beside me to have

executed on the spot. Once in the Tolbooth upon this paper, may

God help you, for the die is cast!"

I must never deny that I was greatly horrified by so much baseness,

and much unmanned by the immediacy and ugliness of my danger. Mr.

Simon had already gloried in the changes of my hue; I make no doubt

I was now no ruddier than my shirt; my speech besides trembled.

"There is a gentleman in this room," cried I. "I appeal to him. I

put my life and credit in his hands."

Prestongrange shut his book with a snap. "I told you so, Simon,"

said he; "you have played your hand for all it was worth, and you

have lost. Mr. David," he went on, "I wish you to believe it was

by no choice of mine you were subjected to this proof. I wish you

could understand how glad I am you should come forth from it with

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