He felt no fear, no hesitation about the outcome of the struggle with this giant prophet of God.

He did not plan to shoot, for a shot would destroy the secret of Marion's fate.

He would choke the truth from Strang; rob him of life slowly, gasp by gasp, until in the horror of death the king would reveal her hiding-place--would tell what he had done with her.
Then he would kill him! There was the strength of tempered steel in his arms; his body, slender as an athlete's, quivered to hurl itself into action.

Up the steps he crept so cautiously that he made no sound.

In the intensity of his purpose Nathaniel looked only ahead of him--to the door.