you
suffer like one on the rack for thrice five years, and then tell you
why.

"It will not take much stretch of imagination for you to surmise, Lester
Armstrong, that I am that boy upon whom you peached, and on whom,
through you, such a severe penalty was inflicted.

"My hatred against you has intensified as the years rolled on, Lester
Armstrong. You are in my power; I hold your life in my hands. Do you
think if you were to pray to me on your bended knees that I would
release you? No, a thousand times no! Every groan that falls from your
lips is music to my ears.

"Again I repeat, you are at my mercy, and I will give you a dose of
that same mercy which you showed me in those other days. Ha! you turn
pale, as well you may!

"Listen! Let me tell you what I intend to do. I think you guess it from
all that has gone on before, but I will repeat it. I intend to watch you
die, inch by inch, day by day!

"They tell of a man who put himself on exhibition in New York,
challenging the people to come and see him fast forty days, during which
time neither food nor drink should pass his lips.

"But you will not last so long, Lester Armstrong; I think a week's time
will be your limit. You will understand now how perfectly useless it
would be to plead with me."

"Do not imagine for one moment that I intend to do so. I am a man of
nerve and iron will, and I can die like one. You have shackled me hand
and foot and placed me in this death trap, but your ears shall not be
greeted with any moans or cries of complaint. The vengeance you have
mapped out will fall short in that."

A sneer broke from Halloran's lips; he could not help but admire the
dauntless courage of the man before him, but he would not have admitted
it for anything the wide world held. With a fiendish laugh that rang in
Lester's ears for long hours afterward, Halloran turned and left him,
sauntering into the outer room and banging and locking the door after
him.

It was a night never to be forgotten by Lester to the last day of his
life. His mouth was parched with thirst; the blood in his veins seemed
turning to lava, and his eyes were scorched in their sockets.

Once the door suddenly opened and Halloran thrust in his head,
exclaiming:

"Let me give you a piece of news to dream over, my dear fellow: Your
Cousin, Kendale, is with the beauteous Faynie just now, probably holding
her in his arms, kissing the lovely rosebud mouth. 'Pon my honor. I envy
the luc