le she herself was caught in the man's arms and held in a grip
like iron.

She struggled fiercely to free herself, but for many seconds she
struggled in vain. Then, just as her strength was beginning to leave
her, he abruptly set her free.

"Come!" he said. "There is no time for childish folly. Find a cloak, and
we will go."

His tone was peremptory, but it held no anger. Turning from her, he
walked deliberately away into the outer room.

She sank back trembling against the wall, nearer to collapse than she
had ever been before. But the momentary respite had its effect, and
instinctively she began to gather herself together for fresh effort. He
had wrested her deliverance from her, but she would never accept what he
offered in exchange. She would never escape with his man. She would
sooner--yes, a thousand times sooner--face the mercy of the mob.

"Mademoiselle Stephanie!" Impatiently his voice came to her from the
farther room. "Are you coming, or am I to fetch you?"

She did not answer. A sudden wild idea had formed in her brain. If she
could slip past him--if she could reach the outer door--he would never
overtake her on the corridor. But she must be brave, she must be subtle,
she must watch her opportunity.

With some semblance of composure she took out a long travelling-cloak,
and walked into the room in which he awaited her. With a start of
surprise, she saw him standing by the open window.

"This way, mademoiselle," he said curtly; and she realised that he must
have entered from the garden.

"One moment, monsieur," she returned, and quietly crossed the room to
the door at the other end.

It was closed. It must have swung to behind her, for she did not
remember closing it.

He made no attempt to stop her. He could not surely have guessed her
intention, for he remained motionless by the window, watching her. Her
heart was thumping as though it would choke her, but yet she controlled
herself. He must not suspect till the door was open, till the passage
was clear before her, and pursuit of no avail.

She reached out a quivering hand and grasped the ebony knob. Now--now
for the last and greatest effort of her life! Sharply she turned the
handle, pulled at it, wrenched it with frantic force, finally turned
from it and confronted the man at the window with eyes that were hunted,
desperate.

"Let me go!" she gasped hoarsely. "How dare you keep me here against my
will?"

"I have no desire to keep you he