"
This voice was immediately recognized to be the same with one of
those which I had heard in the closet; it was the voice of him who
had proposed to shoot rather than to strangle his victim. My
terror made me at once mute and motionless. He continued, "I
leagued to murder you. I repent. Mark my bidding, and be safe.
Avoid this spot. The snares of death encompass it. Elsewhere
danger will be distant; but this spot, shun it as you value your
life. Mark me further: profit by this warning, but divulge it not.
If a syllable of what has passed escape you, your doom is sealed.
Remember your father, and be faithful."
Here the accents ceased, and left me overwhelmed with dismay. I
was fraught with the persuasion that during every moment I remained
here my life was endangered; but I could not take a step without
hazard of falling to the bottom of the precipice. The path leading
to the summit was short, but rugged and intricate. Even starlight
was excluded by the umbrage, and not the faintest gleam was
afforded to guide my steps. What should I do? To depart or remain
was equally and eminently perilous.
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