Loosening his hold of me, he mechanically straightened a pair of candlesticks, still murmuring to himself: "Yes, that alters everything ”everything." Suddenly he seemed to come to a decision. 
I am being held captive. 
mnli hypothesis: I am being held captive.  premise: Loosening his hold of me, he mechanically straightened a pair of candlesticks, still murmuring to himself: "Yes, that alters everything ”everything." Suddenly he seemed to come to a decision. 