But I cannot--you understand!" And his final words seemed to choke him.
I stood before him, open-mouthed in astonishment.
"You really mean--well, that you are in fear of them--eh ?" I whispered.
He nodded slowly in the affirmative, adding: "To tell you the truth would be to bring upon myself a swift, relentless vengeance that would overwhelm and crush me.

Ah! my dear fellow, you do not know--you cannot dream--what brought those desperate men into this port.

I can guess--I can guess only too well--but I can only tell you that if you ever do discover the terrible truth--which I fear is unlikely--you will solve one of the strangest and most remarkable mysteries of modern times." "What does the mystery concern ?" I asked, in breathless eagerness.
"It concerns a woman.".