“None,” he answered inflexibly. “Hear me now for the last time. That instrument against the wall yonder is a sigmagraph. A touch of its electric button causes a flash of light to appear upon the reflector above it, which is transmitted to the receiver upon the roof of the military quarters. In just eight and one-half minutes, sixteen o’clock will sound. If, before the last stroke dies away, three flashes of light are cast from that reflector, mercy will have prevailed and the traitor will be permitted to make good his escape. If no such signal be given he dies.” “This is horrible--horrible!” repeated Dorothy, aghast “You will surely show mercy and not hold back that signal!” “Only upon one condition.” “And that is?” cried Dorothy desperately. “I am but human,” said Lord Ashley, speaking rapidly, “and to purchase my happiness I will forego meting out strict justice. In the palace chapel, at this very moment, is the royal chaplain. At a command from me he can be in this room within two minutes; within two more the words can be spoken which will constitute a binding ceremony. The brilliant public ceremony can come later. Speak but the word. I will summon the chaplain and--this man lives. His fate is in your hands!” “No, no!” protested Dorothy, “I cannot--cannot!” “Then he dies!” Lord Ashley turned aside. He drew a cigarette-case from his pocket, extracted a cigarette and, crossing the room to a side table, lighted it. Walking over to the sigmagraph, he took up his post with his back turned to it. “Four minutes only are left to you,” he said ominously, as he drew out his watch. His words came to his listener as an electric shock. She roused herself from her momentary lethargy and despair. “Will you not be moved to justice?” she cried. “Don’t you see that what you ask cannot be? I could never know happiness--never make you happy. I should forever have this scene before my eyes--this scene of blood--of treachery!” “I have told you it is a judicial execution--none the less judicial and proper because justice is meted out privately rather than publicly. High affairs of state under all governments not infrequently demand such a course--a course which in reality shows undeserved mercy to him.” “Mercy! mercy! This you call mercy!” “It is the only mercy I will show him, unless----” “Don’t say this! You will not permit this wicked, treacherous deed! You will save him! You will give the signal--say that you will give the signal!” “Three minutes!” “No, no! Don’t count. You drive me mad! Is there nothing will move you to pity--nothing turn you from this----” “I’ve already told you. His fate lies with you!” “No, no--not that! This cannot--must not be! Anything but that----” “Then it is you who condemn him by your own act!” “My own act! I, who would gladly die to save him! But no, it is not my act--not my act! I cannot--I will not do what will bring horror, misery, degradation!”