Even his voice was shriller,--shriller and horrible with the slow and bestial satisfaction of his words.
"So here you are, the whole nest of you together, eh ?" he exclaimed.
"Good! Very good indeed! Prince Shan, the poisoner! Dorminster, enjoying your brief triumph, eh?
And you, Naida Karetsky, traitress to your country--deceiver--" "That will do, Immelan," Nigel interrupted sharply.

"We are all here.
What do you want with us ?" "That comes," Immelan replied.

"Soon you shall all know why I have come! Let me speak to my friend Shan for a moment.

I carry your poison in my veins, but there is a chance--just a chance," he added slowly, with a horrible smile upon his lips, "that you may go first, after all." Nigel made a stealthy but rapid movement forward, drawing Naida gently out of the way.

Immelan was too quick, however.