第420页 / 共490页

Callous, concentrated on evil, with stained mind, and soul hungry

for rebellion, Dorian Gray hastened on, quickening his step as he

went, but as he darted aside into a dim archway, that had served

him often as a short cut to the ill-famed place where he was

going, he felt himself suddenly seized from behind, and before he

had time to defend himself, he was thrust back against the wall,

with a brutal hand round his throat.

He struggled madly for life, and by a terrible effort wrenched

the tightening fingers away. In a second he heard the click of a

revolver, and saw the gleam of a polished barrel, pointing

straight at his head, and the dusky form of a short, thick-set

man facing him.

"What do you want?" he gasped.

"Keep quiet," said the man. "If you stir, I shoot you."

"You are mad. What have I done to you?"