Mortimer will hang you fast enough when I tell my tale.

Don't look for mercy at his hands, for he's prouder than Lucifer of his family honor." He was out of the door, striding down the hall, bent on carrying out his purpose.

I heard his voice asking where the Colonel was to be found; then the guard closed the barrier between us.

Very well, of the two I would rather leave my fate to Mortimer than to him, and felt profoundly grateful that the Captain was not in command.

Had he been I should doubtless have been hung without the slightest formality of trial, but Mortimer would at least hear my version first; indeed I could hardly believe he would issue so stringent orders without listening also to his daughter's story.