rse fall on you! Who are you? What have I done to
you--you--viper?"

The man secured in the chair, and with the wire drawn tightly over his
throat, replied not a word.

Elmer advanced toward him, and Alma, with a little cry, tried to hinder
him.

"Do not fear. He cannot move. I will release his head, and perhaps you
will recognize him."

The wire about his throat was loosened, and the wretch lifted his head
into a more comfortable position.

"Ah!"

"Great Heavens! It is Mr. Belford!"

"Yes, sir," said he. "I forgot to put away some papers, and I came down
to secure them, and while I was here that wretch surprised me,
threatened to murder me, and finally overpowered me and bound me here as
you see. If you will ask him to release me, I will get up and explain
everything."

"It's a lie," screamed Mr. Denny, lifting his crutch. "I don't believe
you--you thief--you robber! It's a lie!"

"Oh, father!" cried Alma. "Release him--let him go. He will go away
then, and leave us. He has done wrong; but let him go. It must be some
awful mistake--some----"

"No! Never! never! ne--v----"

The word died away on his lips, for on the instant there was a loud ring
at the hall door. They all listened in silence. Again the importunate
bell pealed through the echoing house.

"It is some one in distress," said Elmer. "John, do you take a light and
go to the door. Ask what is wanted before you loose the chain, and tell
them to go away unless it is a case of life or death."

They listened in breathless interest to the confused sounds in the hall.
There was a moving of locks, and then rough voices talking in suppressed
whispers. The candles flared in the cold draught of wind that swept into
the room, and the sound of the rain in the trees filled the air. Then
the door closed, and John returned, and in an excited whisper said:

"It's Mr. Jones, the sheriff."

At this word Mr. Belford struggled with his bonds, and in a broken
voice he cried:

"Oh, Mr. Denny, spare me! Let me not be arrested. I will restore
every----"

"Silence, sir!" said Elmer. "Not a word till you are spoken to. What
does he want, John?"

"He says he must see Mr. Denny. It's very important--and, oh, sir, he's
a'most beside himself, and I wouldn't let him in."

"Call him in at once," said Mr. Denny. "It is a most fortunate arrival.
The very man we want."

John returned to the hall, and in a moment an old man, gray-haired and
wrinkled, but still vigoro