he place.
We shall turn seawards and wait for you. When you have come out, you
will hand us your electric torches and go on in front."

"You are quite a strategist," Forrest remarked grimly. "Do as she says,
Cecil. The sooner we are out of this, the better."

Kate passed her hand through Engleton's arm.

"Come along," she said. "Lean on me if you are not feeling well. Do not
be afraid. They will not dare to touch us."

Engleton laughed weakly, but with the remains of the contempt with
which he had always treated his jailers.

"Afraid of them!" he exclaimed contemptuously. "I fancy the boot has
been on the other leg. Who you are, my dear young lady, I do not know,
but upon my word you are the most welcome companion a man ever had."

The pair moved toward the doorway. Neither Forrest nor Cecil de la
Borne made any effort to prevent their passing out. Kate turned a
little to the right, and then stood with the revolver clasped in her
hand.

"Please come out now," she said. "You will give your electric torch to
him."

She indicated Engleton, who stretched out his hand. Cecil and Forrest
obeyed her command to the letter. Engleton held the torch, and they all
four made their way along the noisome passage. Forrest turned his head
once cautiously toward his companion's, but Cecil shook his head.

"Wait," he whispered softly.

The thunder of the sea grew less and less distinct. Before them shone a
faint glimmer of light. Soon they reached the three steps which led up
into the gun-room. Cecil and Forrest climbed up. Kate and Engleton
followed. Cecil carefully closed the door behind them.

"You see," he remarked, "we are reconciled to our defeat. Let us sit
down for a moment and talk."

"Open the window and give me some brandy," Engleton said.

Kate felt him suddenly grow heavy upon her arm.

"Bring a chair quick," she ordered. "He is going to faint."

She bent over him, alarmed at the sudden change in his face. Her
attention for one moment was relaxed. Then she felt her wrist seized in
a grip of iron. The revolver, which she was still holding, fell to the
ground, and Cecil calmly picked it up and thrust it into his pocket.

"You have played the game very well, Kate," he said. "Now I think it is
our turn."

She looked at him indignantly, but without any trace of fear.

"You brute!" she exclaimed. "Can't you see that he has fainted? Do you
want him to die here?"

"Not in the least," Cecil answered. "Here, For