He had set a command before me which was as ghastly as hell, and yet I dared not disobey.

I, a young, strong man, was a slave--a slave of the worst kind.

I was the plaything, the tool of a villain.

I had to do as he told me; I had to refrain from doing what he told me I was not to do.

I had done I knew not what.
Perchance a hangman's rope was hanging near me even now.