The fool was wax in her hands. That one confidential whisper seemed to have transformed him. "Yes, I'll go," he said, but I heard every word. "I don't think our friend will take much persuading! You may be glad to marry a _man_, after all!" He was half-way to the door when suspicion took hold of him. "How do I know that you won't be up to some trick?" he snarled; "try to loose him or something? Not that there would be any chance of escape if you did." "I give you my word of honour," Connie answered, "or you can tie me up, too. That would be the best way. Fasten me in this chair so that I can't move." Helzephron shook his head impatiently. Then the door banged and we were alone. I began to speak at once. There was no time to waste. "Dearest love of my heart, it is good-bye. We have managed to snatch these few moments for farewell." Her face shone with love and courage as she smiled at me. "Is there no way, darling?" "None. This is the end. We have fooled that devil for a minute. When he returns and finds out the end will come quickly. Now, listen...." In a few sentences I told her exactly how matters stood, and of my certainty that Helzephron's course was almost run. Nor did I disguise from her that in any attack upon the Pirate Ship her own fate was sure. "What does it matter? I should kill myself, anyhow, rather than submit to one touch from him. I have the means ready. Oh, my love, I am prouder of you at this moment than I ever was!" How I rejoiced in her! Never for a single instant had she believed that I would let her do this thing. It was not even spoken of between us. It was worth while dying for love and trust like this! "And you see, dear love," she went on, "it will not be long. We shall be together again in a few hours, never to part any more...." Very solemnly and quietly we said farewell. Neither of us was unhappy. A great exaltation and peace consoled us, but the moment is too sacred for description here. I gave one last look at her serene and radiant face, striving to image it upon my brain, so that it should be the last thing I saw, and then I called for Helzephron with a strong voice. From the first instant that he stepped into the room and saw our faces, he knew the truth. He was very quiet, but his eyes shone again with the dull red light that you may sometimes see in a dog's eyes. One could almost have pitied him, for he was as one who desired even one drop of living water to cool his tongue and was tormented in a flame. I was praying hard for one boon--that Constance should not see me die. It seemed that my prayer was answered, for he led her roughly to the curtained door and pushed her through. He whistled, and Vargus came in through the other door. The movements of both men were detached and business-like. I had the odd fancy that this was exactly how the paid executioner goes about his work in the prisons.