It was plain that Mac was following the manner as well as the matter of his instructions. He gave this information slowly, with dour satisfaction, checking each item by forcibly doubling down, with his right hand, the fingers of his left. Having now doubled them all down, he undoubled them and began again. “If you attempt to give any alarm, if you attempt to make any attack, if on any pretext you try to get near enough for a possible attack, we will kill you without hesitation.” He rolled the phrase under his tongue with great relish. “Your precautions are most flattering, I’m sure,” said Jeff idly. “I must be very careful. The room is large, but I might inadvertently break your last rule at any time. If I understand you correctly, should I so much as drop my pencil and, picking it up, forgetfully come too close----” “I will shoot you,” repeated this uncompromising person, “without any hesitation. I have a verra high opeenion of your powers, Mr. Bransford, and have no mind to come to grips wi’ you. You will keep your distance, and we will agree fine.” “All this is like to be very tiresome to you.” Jeff’s tones were level and cheerful; he leaned back in his chair, yawning; his hands were clasped behind his head. “Such constant vigilance will be a strain upon you; your nerves will be affected. I will have by far the best of it. I can sleep, read, think. But if you turn your head, if you close your eyes, if you so much as falter in your attention,” said Jeff dispassionately, “my fingers will be at your throat to tear your life out for the dog that you are!” “Why, now we understand each other perfectly,” returned Mac, in nowise discomposed. “But I would have ye to observe that your last remark was highly discourteous. My instructions are not yet ended. Look now!” He held up his hand, with three fingers still tightly closed to indicate three several unhesitancies. “Our last instruction was to treat you with ceeveelity and consideration, to give you any indulgence which would not endanger your safe keeping, to subject you to no indignity or abuse.” He folded down the fourth finger and extended his closed hand, thrusting out his thumb reproachfully. “To no abuse!” he repeated. “I am properly rebuked,” said Jeff. “I withdraw the ‘dog.’ Let me amend the offending remark to read thus: ‘to tear out your life without any hesitation.’ But even the remarkable foresight of Judge Thorpe seems to have overlooked one important thing. I refer to the possible corruption of my jailers. Do I likewise forfeit my life if I tamper with your integrity?”