And, of course, by Sally's own words, that contingency would put me forever outside the pale for her.
I did not deceive myself; I did not accept the slightest intimation of hope; I gave her up.

And then for a time regret, remorse, pain, darkness worked their will with me.
I came out of it all bitter and callous and sore, in the most fitting of moods to undertake a difficult and deadly enterprise.

Miss Sampson completely slipped my mind; Sally became a wraith as of some one dead; Steele began to fade.

In their places came the bushy-bearded Snecker, the olive-skinned Sampson with his sharp eyes, and dark, evil faced Wright.

Their possibilities began to loom up, and with my speculation returned tenfold more thrilling and sinister the old strange zest of the man-hunt.
It was about one o'clock when I strode into Linrock.