his--that as much as you 've done for me, I won't stand
for your hurting her."

"Let me see her," demanded Donaldson, coming to himself.

"She won't see any one! She 's locked up in her room. She may be
dead. If she is, you 've killed her!"

Arsdale half choked upon the words. It was with difficulty that he
restrained himself. He was blind to everything, save that in some way
this man was responsible for the girl's suffering.

"Perhaps she 'll see me. Where is she?"

Donaldson without waiting for an answer pushed past Arsdale and the
latter allowed it, but followed at his heels. Donaldson knew where she
was without being told. She was in the big front room where the
balcony led outdoors. He went up the stairs heavily, for he knew that
more depended on the next half hour than had anything so far in all
this harrowing week. Though there was plenty of light he groped his
way close to the wall like a blind man. At the closed door he paused
to catch his breath. In the meanwhile the boy, half frantic, pounded
on the panels, shouting over his shoulder,

"She won't let us in, I tell you! She won't let us in! She may be
dead!"

At this, Donaldson forced Arsdale back. He put his mouth close to the
insensate wood and called her name.

"Elaine."

There was no answer.

He knocked lightly and called again. Again the silence, the boy
stumbling up against him with an inarticulate cry. The nurse joined
them, and the three stood there in shivering terror. Donaldson felt
panic clutching at his own heart. Before throwing his weight against
the door, he tried once more.

"Elaine," he cried, "it is I--Donaldson."

There was the sound of movement within, and then came the stricken plea,

"Go away. Please go away."

Arsdale answered,

"Let me in, Elaine. Nothing shall hurt you. I'll--"

Donaldson turned upon him and the nurse.

"Go down-stairs," he commanded.

His voice made them both shudder back.

"Go down-stairs," he repeated. "Do you hear! Leave her to me!"

Arsdale started a protest, but the nurse, in fright, took his arm and
half dragged him towards the stairs. Donaldson followed threateningly.
His face was terrible. He stood at the head of the stairs until they
reached the hall below. Then he returned to the door.

"Elaine," he said, "I have come back. Do you hear me, Elaine? I have
come back."

He heard within the sound as of muffled sobbing. He himself was
breathing as though