Not often in a life-time does a man stand on the edge of eternity,
but when I spoke those words in that East End cellar I was perfectly
certain that they were my last words on earth. I braced myself for
the shock of those black, rushing waters beneath, and experienced in
advance the horror of that breath-choking fall.
But to my surprise a low laugh fell on my ears. I opened my eyes.
Obeying a sign from the man on the divan, my two jailers brought me
back to my old seat facing him.
"You are a brave man, Captain Hastings," he said. "We of the East
appreciate bravery. I may say that I expected you to act as you have
done. That brings us to the appointed second act of our little drama.
Death for yourself you have faced--will you face death for another?"
"What do you mean?" I asked hoarsely, a horrible fear creeping over me.
"Surely you have not forgotten the lady who is in our power--the Rose
of the Garden."