at the recollection, she found determination for the
deed.

The sentinel nearest her was snoring at his post; the further one would
not be able to reach her in time, even should he see her. Somewhere,
far away, a cock was crowing; and it came to her suddenly that the
breathlessness about her was the hush that precedes the dawn. There was
no time to lose, she told herself feverishly, and moved forward with
snake-like stillness. Between the sheltering arm and the neck of the
steel shirt there was a space of naked throat. Setting her teeth, she
raised her knife and struck down at it with a strong hand.

The point never reached its mark. For an instant she could not tell what
had happened. Fingers closed like iron bands around her wrist, pulling
her backwards so that the pain of her twisted wound wrung a cry from her
lips. They were not Norman's fingers, yet he also was stirring; while
darting flashes from the dusk about them told that the other sleepers
were drawing their weapons. Then some one threw a branch-ful of dead
leaves upon the fire.

The flame that flared up showed her arm to be in the grasp of the Lord
of Ivarsdale.

"You mad young one!" he gasped, as he wrenched the blade from her hold.

Voices rose in angry questioning, but Randalin was too fear-benumbed to
understand what they said. Norman's keen eyes were turned upon her, and
recognition was dawning in their gaze.

Suddenly, he snatched her from Sebert's grasp and held her down to the
firelight. Could she have seen the mask which dust and blood had made
for her, she would have been spared the terror-swoon that left her
limp in his grasp. But it only bewildered her when, after an instant's
scrutiny, he let her fall with an angry laugh.

"The boy from Avalcomb! Certainly these Danes are as hard to kill as
cats! I would have sworn to it that I had separated his life from his
body not eight-and-forty hours ago." A gleam of eagerness came into his
face, and he bent over her again. "You shall serve my purpose by your
obstinacy," he said under his breath. "You shall tell me where your
sister is. You know, for you escaped together. When I was restored to my
senses, I found you both gone. Tell me where she lies hidden, and it may
be that I will grant to you a longer life."

Her stiff lips could not have spoken an answer had her paralyzed brain
been able to frame one. She could only gaze back at him in helpless
waiting. A second time he was bending toward her