More than once it had occurred to me, and now it occurred to me again, to extricate myself by a blow.

But a natural reluctance to strike an unarmed man, however vile and knavish, and the belief that he had not trusted himself in my power without taking the fullest precautions, withheld me.

When he grudgingly, and with many dark threats, proposed to wait three days--and not an hour more--for my answer, I accepted; for I saw no other alternative open.

And on these terms, but not without some short discussion, we parted, and I heard his stealthy footstep go sneaking down the stairs..