n out on the door or I'll--you know what
I'll do well enough. Do you hear?"

Rising, still with face averted, I proceeded to do what he asked. But in
another moment seeing that he had been effectually bound and gagged,
I took out the piece of red chalk I had kept in my pocket, and
deliberately chalked it on again, after which operation I came back and
took my seat as before on the low stool by the window.

The object now was to secure the second rascal in the same way we had
the first; and for this purpose Mr. Gryce ordered the now helpless giant
to be dragged into the adjoining small room formerly occupied by Mrs.
Blake, where he and his men likewise took up their station leaving me
to confront as best I might, the surprise and consternation of the one
whose return we now awaited.

I did not shrink. With that brave woman's garments drawn about me,
something of her dauntless spirit seemed to invade my soul, and though I
expected--But let that come in its place, I am not here to interest you
in myself or my selfish thoughts.

A half hour passed; he had never lingered away so long before, or so it
seemed, and I was beginning to wonder if we should have to keep up this
strain of nerve for hours, when the heavy tread was again heard in
the hall, and with a blow of the fist that argued anger or a brutal
impatience, he flung open the door and came in, I did not turn my head.

"Where's father?" he growled, stopping where he was a foot or so from
the door.

I shook my head with a slight gesture and remained looking out.

He brought his cane down on the floor with a thump. "What do you mean by
sitting there staring out of the window like mad and not answering when
I ask you a decent question?"

Still I made no reply.

Provoked beyond endurance, yet held in check by that vague sense of
danger in the air,--which while not amounting to apprehension is often
sufficient to hold back from advance the most daring foot,--he stood
glaring at me in what I felt to be a very ferocious attitude, but made
no offer to move. Instantly I rose and still looking out of the window,
made with my hand what appeared to be a signal to some one on the
opposite side of the way. The ruse was effective. With an oath that
rings in my ears yet, he lifted his heavy cane and advanced upon me with
a bound, only to meet the same fate as his father at the hands of the
watchful detectives. Not, however, before that heavy cane came down upon
my head in a