"I didn't pick you out to frighten a couple of people. I want you to put the fear of god into them. I want them to sweat, to panic and to be looking over their shoulders as if death itself were on their heels. They need to suffer and never know a good night's sleep. That is what I want."

"Oh well, now that you put it that way," the man said. "I'll do it but it'll cost you."

"I believe that this holds some corporeal value," the stranger said as he tossed the diamond necklace at the man. "I am sure this will meet your avaricious expectations."

"It'll do,"...