uided company from the deserted
railroad camps, moved swiftly into the defile, led by young Rabot.
Truxton King rode beside the brother of the girl he loved, uttering
words of cheer and encouragement.

"King, you _do_ put new courage into me. You are surcharged with hope
and confidence. By heaven, I believe we can drive out that damned beast
and his dogs. We _will_ do it!"

"There's a chap named Brutus. I ask special permission to kill him.
That's the only request I have to make."

"I very strongly oppose the appeal to Grand Duke Paulus. We must act
decisively before that alternative is forced upon the unhappy Halfont.
It was Perse's scheme, months ago. Perse! Confound him, I believe he has
worked all along to aid--"

"Hold on, Tullis," interrupted King soberly. "I wouldn't say that if I
were you. The Duke was wounded by the dynamiters and I understand he
lies on his bed and curses Marlanx from morning till night. He prays
constantly that his daughter may be freed from the old scoundrel."

"The Countess Ingomede--has anything been heard from her?" asked Tullis.
He had been thinking of her for days--and nights.

"Well, nothing definite," said King evasively. He was reminded at this
moment of his own love affair. Seized by the boldest impulse that had
ever come to him, he suddenly blurted out: "Tullis, I love your sister.
I have loved her from the beginning. All that has happened in the last
week has strengthened my adoration. I think she cares for me,
but,--but--"

"My dear Mr. King, I'm sorry--" began Tullis, genuinely surprised.

"But it seems that she's promised to marry Vos Engo. I'll tell you how
it happened." Then he related the episode of the rout in Castle Avenue.
"It's all wrong for her to marry that chap. If she hasn't been bullied
into it before we get back to her, I'd like to know if you won't put a
stop to his damned impudence. What right has such a fellow as Vos Engo
to a good American girl like Loraine? None whatever. Besides, I'm going
to fight him when we're through fighting Marlanx. I want you as my
second. Can't say whether it will be swords, pistols or knuckles. I hope
you'll oblige me. As a matter of fact, I had two primary objects in
looking you up out here in the hills. First, to ask you for Loraine;
second, to engage you as my second."

Tullis was silent for a while. Then he said, quite seriously: "King, I
have looked with some favour upon Vos Engo. I thought she liked him. He
isn't a b