own avowal, that the direct way to
his safety lay through my life, he was probably the last man in
existence who would shrink from throwing me off my guard and taking
that way, when he had me alone within his reach. The only means of
defence against him on which I could at all rely to lessen the risk,
presented themselves, after a little careful thinking, clearly enough.
Before I made any personal acknowledgment of my discovery in his
presence, I must place the discovery itself where it would be ready for
instant use against him, and safe from any attempt at suppression on
his part. If I laid the mine under his feet before I approached him,
and if I left instructions with a third person to fire it on the
expiration of a certain time, unless directions to the contrary were
previously received under my own hand, or from my own lips--in that
event the Count's security was absolutely dependent upon mine, and I
might hold the vantage ground over him securely, even in his own house.

This idea occurred to me when I was close to the new lodgings which we
had taken on returning from the sea-side. I went in without disturbing
any one, by the help of my key. A light was in the hall, and I stole
up with it to my workroom to make my preparations, and absolutely to
commit myself to an interview with the Count, before either Laura or
Marian could have the slightest suspicion of what I intended to do.

A letter addressed to Pesca represented the surest measure of
precaution which it was now possible for me to take. I wrote as
follows--

"The man whom I pointed out to you at the Opera is a member of the
Brotherhood, and has been false to his trust. Put both these assertions
to the test instantly. You know the name he goes by in England. His
address is No. 5 Forest Road, St. John's Wood. On the love you once
bore me, use the power entrusted to you without mercy and without delay
against that man. I have risked all and lost all--and the forfeit of
my failure has been paid with my life."

I signed and dated these lines, enclosed them in an envelope, and
sealed it up. On the outside I wrote this direction: "Keep the
enclosure unopened until nine o'clock to-morrow morning. If you do not
hear from me, or see me, before that time, break the seal when the
clock strikes, and read the contents." I added my initials, and
protected the whole by enclosing it in a second sealed envelope,
addressed to Pesca at his lodgings.

Nothing r