t when you were ill, just
before you recovered consciousness," she went on, in a solemn,
awestruck tone.

"Ah!"

"Yes, while you were lying there insensible you narrowly escaped being
murdered."

Again she paused, and shuddered visibly.

"I was afraid of something. His conduct when you were brought in
warned me. He seemed to resent your existence; he certainly resented
your being in the house, but most of all my attendance on you. I was
very watchful, but the strain was too much, and, one night, feeling
that the danger of sleep for me was very real, I barricaded the
stairs. I did my utmost to keep awake, but foolishly sat down on my
own bed and fell asleep. Then I awoke with a start; I can't say what
woke me. Anyway, realizing I had slept, I became alarmed for you. I
picked up the light and went out into the hall, where I found my
barricade removed----"

"Yes, and your father at my bedside, with his hands at my throat."

"Loosening the bandage."

"To?"

"To open the wound and let you bleed to death."

"I see. Yes, I remember. I dreamt the whole scene, except the bandage
business. But you----"

"I had the lighted lamp, and the moment its light flashed on him he
was as--as blind as a bat. His hands moved about your bandage fumbling
and uncertain. Yes, he was blind enough then. I believe he would have
attacked me, only I threatened him with the lamp, and with calling for
help."

"Brave little woman--yes, I remember your words. They were in my
dream. And that's how you knew what to do later on when Jake and
he----"

The girl nodded.

"So Fyles was right," Tresler went on musingly. "You did know."

"Was I wrong, Jack, in not telling them at the inquest? You see he is
dead, and----"

"On the contrary, you were right. It would have done no manner of
good. You might have told me, though."

"Well, I didn't know what to do," the girl said, a little helplessly.
"You see I never thought of cattle-stealing. It never entered my head
that he was, or could be, Red Mask. I only looked upon it as a
villainous attempt on your life, which would not be likely to occur
again, and which it would serve no purpose to tell you of. Besides,
the horror----"

"Yes, I see. Perhaps you were right. It would have put us on the right
track though, as, later on, the fight with Jake and your action with
regard to it did. Never mind; that's over. Julian Marbolt was an utter
villain from the start. You may as well know that his tra