d just collected. It was
quietly put aside.

"Now," said Slimy, with the same deliberation, "I have to arst you just
to lay down on the floor, just 'ere, see. It's better to lay down quiet
than to be knocked down, you see."

Waymark mentally agreed that it was. His behaviour might seem cowardly,
but--to say nothing of the loathsomeness of a wrestle with Slimy--he
knew very well that any struggle, or a shout for help, would mean his
death. He hesitated, felt ashamed, but looked at Slimy's red eye, and
lay down. In taking the position indicated, he noticed that three very
large iron hooks had been driven firmly into the floor, in a triangular
shape. Just beside the lower one of these his feet had to rest; his
head lay between the other two. Slimy now proceeded to bind his
captive's feet together with strong cord, and then attach them firmly
to the hook; then bidding him sit up for a moment, he made his hands
fast behind his back; lastly, Waymark being again recumbent, a rope was
passed once round his neck, and each end of it firmly fastened to one
of the remaining hooks. This was not a pleasant moment, but, the
operation completed, Waymark found that, though he could not move his
head an inch, there was no danger of strangulation as long as he
remained quiet. In short, he was bound as effectually as a man could
be, yet without much pain. The only question was, how long he would
have to remain thus.

Slimy examined his work, and nodded with satisfaction. Then he took up
the satchel again, opened it, and for a few moments kept diving his
long black fingers into the coins, whilst his face was transformed to
an expression of grim joy. Presently, having satisfied himself with the
feel of the money, he transferred it all to a pocket inside his ragged
coat.

"Now, Mr. Waymark," he recommenced, seating himself on the chair
Waymark had previously occupied, "I ain't quite done with
ill-conveniencin' you. I'm sorry to say I'll 'ave jist to put a bit of
a gag on, to prevent you from 'ollerin' out too soon; but before I do
that, I've jist got a word or two to say. Let's spend our last time
together in a friendly way."

In spite of his alarm, Waymark observed with astonishment the change
which had come over the man's mode of speech. In all their previous
intercourse, Slimy had shown himself barely articulate; for the most
part it was difficult to collect meaning from his grunts and snarls.
His voice was still dreadfully husky, a