Page:Germ Growers.djvu/228

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LEÄFAR.
223

kind when the power of evil flung its whole force against One that was human, and was baffled, and the victory was won through suffering. So you will keep your will unsurrendered, and your adversary will be beaten back."

"And then?"

"Then, as I have said, he may kill your body in his disappointment and humiliation and rage, but you will be safe from him all the same."

"Let me escape him, and I am willing to die."

"That is the true temper; keep to that, and you need have no fear. And now listen to my further counsel."

But here again Jack interrupted him. "Surely, sir," he said, "it is better, is it not, to act at once? Why expose my friend here to a fearful risk? Lead us now, and we will follow you any whither. Let the risk, then, be what it may be, it cannot be more than the risk of death."

"Sir," said Leäfar, "I deeply honour your spirit and feeling, but you do not know the nature of the case. It is true that I might be able to rescue both of you from the place without any further contact between your friend and him whom you call Niccolo Davelli. I might be able and yet I might not, for although I am