exit constructed. More than once it had been
used, and the fugitive escaped by that secret way.

In a moment the grim truth flashed across Adolphe's mind. Ansell had for
some reason bolted the door, and had forgotten to unlock it before
escaping.

But why had he not warned him?

The voices outside were now raised, and he could hear the tramp of
several other men over the moss-grown stones of the weedy courtyard.

Not a second was to be lost; therefore, taking up one of the
rush-bottomed chairs and raising it above his head, he advanced to the
door and brought it down with a crash upon the panel just over the lock.

A great crack showed, and by a second heavy blow the panel gave way
sufficiently to allow him to insert his hand and draw the bolt from the
opposite side.

He dashed across the living-room to where his coat hung, in order to
seize his portion of the booty. Quickly he searched the pockets, but in
vain!

The notes were gone!

Then, for the first time, he realised that he had been robbed, and from
his dry lips there fell a fierce vow of vengeance against the man whose
willing tool he had been--the man whose wife had left him because of his
callous brutality.

Twice he searched his pockets, then he cast his coat from him in despair
and, bending to the floor, tugged at the iron ring.

That, too, was secured. He could not lift it because the scoundrel had
bolted it from beneath. Not only had he stolen his money, but he had
made him a prisoner, knowing that he must fall into the hands of the
police.

With his long, black hair ruffled, his great, dark eyes starting from
their sockets, and both fists clenched in desperation, he gazed wildly
around for some means of escape. There were none. Heavy footsteps
sounded upon the uncarpeted stairs, yet if he attempted to jump from the
window he would fall into the arms of the police, who had by this time
surrounded the house.

This was Ralph's revenge--because he had taken his poor little wife's
part, because he had prevented him from striking her down!

A bitter thought arose in the young thief's heart. He bit his lip, and
in an undertone declared:

"If ever I meet the cowardly blackguard I will kill him! That I swear.
Not only has he robbed me, but he has also betrayed me to the police,
knowing that I must be sent to prison, while he will remain safe!"

At that instant there came a heavy banging upon the door, while a loud,
imperative voice cried:

"W