The rascal’s mental torture was something difficult to describe. He had no hope of mercy if arraigned in court. How he bitterly cursed himself for having made a premature attack on the detective. “Hold out your right hand.” Bull did not seem inclined to obey. “Quick, or I’ll shoot.” The hand was put forward. Hare snapped a steel cuff on it, and soon after the connecting one enclasped Blair’s other wrist. “Now,” said Hare, “I’ve just got you where I want you.” “This is all dead wrong.” “Why, my dear fellow.” “Because I have committed no crime,” replied Blair. “I suppose you’ll even deny having assaulted me?” “I did that in a fit of passion.” “I’m now acting in a fit of passion,” sneered Hare. “Frank, I didn’t mean to harm you; I swear I didn’t.” “Oh, I don’t suppose you would have done much more than killed me.” “If I wanted to murder you I should have waited until you went to sleep.” “Yes, that would have been the better way; but then I would not have gone to sleep.” “I never robbed Monte Murphy.” “You did more; you threw him into a cellar to die.” Blair gave a sudden start. It was plain to him that Murphy lived, or had lived long enough to tell what happened him to whoever found him. “I never injured the man.” “You found him dying from a stab wound. I know all about it.” “Did Monte make this charge against me?” asked Bull. “Yes.” “The man must have taken leave of his senses.” “No, but he has taken leave of life,” said Frank. “Did he also accuse me of having stabbed him?” “No; but you might have saved his life if you had got a doctor, or sent Tony Riley after one,” replied Hare. “But I tell you I have not been across Murphy’s threshold in weeks.” “Your pal, Tony Riley, was arrested there to-day.” The villain became deadly pale. Now he believed that, instead of Murphy, it was his pal who had given the detective the information the latter possessed. “Riley is no pal of mine.” Frank smiled. “You told me in Shaw’s that he was; I guess at that time you had not tumbled to whom you were talking.” “I haven’t done a job with Tony in a long time.” “I’m rather surprised you do not deny knowing the man.” “I know him,” said Bull, and he uttered a terrible oath. “You don’t feel very pleasant toward him, I see.” “Would you like to have a man tell lies about you?” “How do you know Tony spoke of you? I didn’t say so.” “It would be just like him; that duck ain’t worthy of belief.” “In that case he strikingly resembles you,” smiled Hare. “I may be bad, but I wouldn’t lie to save myself from the gallows.” Bull spoke with affected dignity, which caused the detective to laugh outright. “I haven’t said anything funny,” growled Blair. “It struck me that way.” Bull glanced at his manacled wrists, and something like a groan escaped him. Would he ever be free again? “Now,” said Hare, after a pause, “where are those diamonds you wish to dispose of to my Philadelphia friend?” “They are not here.”