its iron loops, and it cracked and
broke, and fell to the ground in splinters.

Then her strong excitement lent the brave girl strength, and her fear
for her husband gave her courage, and crying, "Stop, for heaven's
sake stop," she put her back to the door, tore up the sleeve of her
dress, and thrust her bare right arm through the loops where the bar
had been.

"Now," she cried, "you must break my arm after it."

"God forbid," said Jason, and he fell back for a moment at that
sight. But, recovering himself, he said, "Greeba, I would not touch
your beautiful arm to hurt it; no, not for all the wealth of the
world. But I must go, so let me pass."

Still her terror was centred on the thought of Jason's vengeance.

"Jason," she cried, "he is my husband. Only think--my husband."

"Let me pass," said Jason.

"Jason," she cried again, "my husband is everything to me, and I am
all in all to him."

"Let me pass," said Jason.

"You intend to follow him. You are seeking him to kill him."

"Let me pass."

"Deny it."

"Let me pass."

"Never," she cried. "Kill _me_ if you will, but until you have done
so you shall not pass this door. Kill me!"

"Not for my soul's salvation!" said Jason.

"Then give up your wicked purpose. Give it up, give it up."

"Only when _he_ shall have given up his life."

"Then I warn you, I will show you no pity, for you have shown none to
me."

At that she screamed for help, and presently the faint music ceased,
and there was a noise of hurrying feet. Jason stood a moment
listening; then he looked towards the window, and saw that it was of
one frame, and had no sash that opened. At the next instant he had
doubled his arms across his face and dashed through glass and bars.

A minute afterwards the room was full of men and women, and Jason was
brought back into it, pale, sprinkled with snow and blood-stained.

"I charge that man with threatening the life of my husband," Greeba
cried.

Then it seemed as if twenty strong hands laid hold of Jason at once.
But no force was needed, for he stood quiet and silent, and looked
like a man who had walked in his sleep, and been suddenly awakened by
the sound of Greeba's voice. One glance he gave her of great
suffering and proud defiance, and then, guarded on either hand,
passed out of the place like a captured lion.

CHAPTER IX.

THE PEACE OATH.

There was short shrift for Red Jason. He was tried by the court
nearest the spot, and