he had lost ground
gradually, and the underbrush had not delayed the progress of Obed.
Gualtier felt this, but still strove to attain his purpose.

At last he saw a place where there was a steep precipice, thickly
wooded up to its very margin and then descending abruptly. Toward
this he fled, thinking that some place might show itself where he
might descend, and where his pursuer might fear to follow. He bounded
along in a winding direction, trying to conceal his purpose. At
length he reached the edge of the precipice. At the point to which he
had come the descent was abrupt, but ledges jutted out from the side
of the cliff, and seemed to afford a chance for a descent to one who
was bold enough to venture. There was no time for examination or for
hesitation. Swiftly Gualtier ran on till he reached what seemed a
favorable place, and then, throwing himself over, his feet caught a
projecting ledge, and he reached down his hand to secure a grasp of a
rock, so as to let himself down further. He looked down hurriedly so
as to see the rock which he wished to grasp, when at that very
instant his arm was seized, and a low, stern voice said:

"No go! up with you, you scoundrel! and thank the Lord I don't blow
your brains out."

He was dragged up, flung on the ground, and his hands bound tightly
behind him with Obed's handkerchief. After this he was dragged back
to the carriage.

So failed his last hope.

"You couldn't have done it," said Obed. "I saw it all the time. I
could have shot you fifty times, but, as I knew I was going to catch
you, I didn't touch my pistol. I don't blame you for making the
trial. I'd have done the same. But you see now that you have got your
hands tied up by way of punishment. You can't say but that I've
treated you on the square, any how."

Gualtier said nothing, but was taken back and put in the carriage
once more. Zillah saw that his hands were tied, and felt more secure
as to the result of this second capture.

The carriage now soon reached the villa. Here Obed handed out Zillah,
and gave orders to the servants to make ready the brougham. He
informed Zillah that he himself intended to take Gualtier to the city
and hand him over to the authorities; and that she might make her
mind easy as to his capture this time, for he would not allow even an
attempt at an escape again.

During these preparations Obed stood waiting near the carriage, while
Gualtier sat there with his hands bound. Gladly