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I daren't."

Why not?"

I daren't. You ask an impossibility."

Afraid, eh? Of whom? Mr. Brown? Ah, that tickles you up! There is such a

person, then? I doubted it. And the mere mention of him scares you stiff!"

I have seen him," said the Russian slowly. "Spoken to him face to face. I did not

know it until afterwards. He was one of a crowd. I should not know him again.

Who is he really? I do not know. But I know this--he is a man to fear."

He'll never know," said Julius.

He knows everything--and his vengeance is swift. Even I--Kramenin!--would not

be exempt!"

Then you won't do as I ask you?"

You ask an impossibility."

Sure that's a pity for you," said Julius cheerfully. "But the world in general will

benefit." He raised the revolver.

Stop," shrieked the Russian. "You cannot mean to shoot me?"

Of course I do. I've always heard you Revolutionists held life cheap, but it seems

there's a difference when it's your own life in question. I gave you just one chance

of saving your dirty skin, and that you wouldn't take!"

"They would kill me!"

"Well," said Julius pleasantly, "it's up to you. But I'll just say this. Little Willie

here is a dead cert, and if I was you I'd take a sporting chance with Mr. Brown!"

"You will hang if you shoot me," muttered the Russian irresolutely.

"No, stranger, that's where you're wrong. You forget the dollars. A big crowd of

solicitors will get busy, and they'll get some high-brow doctors on the job, and the

end of it all will be that they'll say my brain was unhinged. I shall spend a few

months in a quiet sanatorium, my mental health will improve, the doctors will

217

The Secret Adversary