Page:Old ninety-nine's cave.djvu/177

 "Tell me one thing," Dr. Herschel asked, "have you ever suspected this?"

"Great God, no! Not this. Don't think me worse than I am. Had I, my body would have followed 'Old Ninety-Nine's' rather than bring destruction on these dear friends."

"Listen, young man; on my professional word you have infected no one. Faith on your part is unnecessary; all I ask of you is to go to Shushan, take vapor baths, and allow me to inject the prepared venom until you understand doing these things yourself according to my directions. Do you consent?"

"There is but one other alternative."

"And that would make you a murderer and me a felon. Do you hope to pervert Justice or trick her of her dues! Is not one lesson sufficient?"

Hernando's brain reeled. His agonized soul cried out in anguish against the stern Power demanding years of torment in payment for one mistake. His nervous tension was tremendous, and the swaying power almost beyond control.