I am afraid that if--if unhappily
you did fall, I couldn't prevent you."
"I'm sure you couldn't," said the other cordially. "That's the beauty of
it; that's when the Evil One's whispers get louder and louder. Why, I
could choke you between my finger and thumb. If unfortunately my fallen
nature should be too strong for me, don't interfere whatever you do. I
mightn't be myself."
Mr. Higgs rose and faced him gasping.
"Not even--call for--the police--I suppose," he jerked out.
"That would be interfering," said Brother Burge coldly.
The jeweller tried to think. It was past eleven. The housekeeper had
gone to spend the night with an ailing sister, and a furtive glance at
Brother Burge's small shifty eyes and fat unwholesome face was sufficient
to deter him from leaving him alone with his property, while he went to
ask the police to give an eye to his house for the night. Besides, it
was more than probable that Mr. Burge would decline to allow such a
proceeding. With a growing sense of his peril he resolved to try
flattery.
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