_You_ do not need her wealth; Anitra--well, she will be cared for,
but Auchincloss--promise--brother."
Ransom half drew back in his amazement. Then started forward again. This
man whom he had always distrusted, whom he had looked upon as Georgian's
possible enemy, certainly his own, was looking into his eyes with a gaze
of trust, almost of affection. The money was not for himself; he showed
it by the noble, almost grand look with which he waited for his answer;
a look that carried conviction despite Ransom's prejudice and great
dislike.
"You will give me that much additional nerve for the task lying before
me?" he added. And Ransom could only bow his head. The man's mastery was
limitless; it had reached and moved even him.
Another moment and a gasp went up from fifty or more throats. Hazen had
taken the chain in his hand, walked to the edge of the rock and slipped
into the quietest water he saw there.
"Strike left!" called out a voice. And he struck left. The eddy seized
him and they could see his head moving slowly about in the great circle
which gradually grew smaller and smaller till he suddenly disappeared. A
groan muffled with horror went up from the shore. But the man who held
the chain lifted up his hand, and silence--more pregnant of anticipation
than any sound--held that whole crowd rigid.
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