into the house through
that hall window, and probably now lurks within. Perhaps all within have
been murdered!"

Charles ascends the rope and enters the hallway. In the dim moonlight he
sees a rod with hook attached. This is flexibly adjusted to the rope and
drawn across lower window-casings.

Comprehending at a glance the method of entrance, he noiselessly passes
along the hall and winding aisles into a room next that occupied by
Esther. The connecting door is open. Glancing at the reflecting surface
of a mirror, Charles is stupefied with horror. He staggers to the
door.

Knife in hand, Paul Lanier is bending over the sleeping Bessie.

[Illustration: "RAPTLY GAZING AT THE CHILD'S INNOCENT FACE, PAUL SOFTLY
CROONS SOME CRADLE MELODY."]

Charles raises his loaded pistol, taking aim. The finger pressing
lightly responsive trigger seems paralyzed.

Raptly gazing at the child's innocent face, Paul softly croons some
cradle melody. Oblivious to all hazards, unmoved by murderous craze
prompting this night attempt upon lives of Northfield foes, Paul gently
mutters a childhood refrain, thereby seeking to lull fancied wakefulness
of this sleeping waif, of whose existence until then he had not known.

Still standing at the open door, with cocked pistol aimed at this crazed
outlaw, Charles trembles violently. The sight and Paul's words unnerve
his will.

The child moves upon her cot, talking disconnectedly.

"Please, Granny, don't cry! Bessie hanged on!"

Esther partially awakens. Vacantly gazing at the cot, she slumbers on.

Paul furtively looks about. Glaring at Esther, he moves toward the open
door, stops, and then inspects his bloody knife. Muttering, Paul tiptoes
back to Bessie's cot.

Again Charles raises his pistol, ready to fire.

Like robed priest upon ordained human sacrifice, Paul gazes at this
dreaming four-year-old. Gently drawing the blade across his finger-tips,
he sighs deeply. With low moan and gestured dissent, Paul again sheathes
the knife. Moving away rapidly, by Charles, through adjoining room, he
unerringly retraces his way to the hall window. Descending the pendent
rope, Paul disappears in the darkness.

In explanation, Charles afterward said: "No one but me witnessed this
scene. I followed Paul to the window and witnessed his descent. To have
slain this outlaw would have been easy. Only to save life would I take
this responsibility. Sight of any Northfield sleeper under Paul's
uplifted kn