Edmunds gradually raised himself to his knees, and looked more and more earnestly on the old man's face.

They gazed upon each other in silence.
'The old man was ghastly pale.

He shuddered and tottered to his feet.
Edmunds sprang to his.

He stepped back a pace or two.

Edmunds advanced.
'"Let me hear you speak," said the convict, in a thick, broken voice.
'"Stand off!" cried the old man, with a dreadful oath.