beauty went to the strong, and all rules but that were scratched
from the book of life.

I would not even tread softly now, nor slink within the shadows. Nor
did I fear Lacroix, although he had fallen out of sight behind me.

I strode steadily across the snow and opened the door in the dark wing,
entered the hall and ascended the stairway, took the turn to the right
and passed through the little hall. As I had guessed, the light came
from Duchaine's room.

I heard Leroux's harsh voice within; and if I stopped outside it was
not in indecision, but because I meant to make sure of my man this time.

Through the crack of the door I saw old Charles Duchaine nodding over
his wheel. Leroux was standing near him, and in a corner, beside the
window, was Jacqueline. She was facing our common enemy as valiantly
as she had done before. And he was still tormenting her.

"I want you, Jacqueline," I heard him say, in a voice which betrayed no
throb of passion. "And I am going to have you. I always have my way,
I am not like that weak fool, Hewlett."

"It was I sent him away, not you," she cried. "Do you think he was
afraid of you?"

Leroux looked at her in admiration.

"You are a splendid woman, Jacqueline," he said. "I like the way you
defy me. But you are quite at my mercy. And you are going to yield!
You will yield your will to mine----"

"Never!" she cried. "I will fling myself into the lake before that
shall happen. Ah, _monsieur_"--her voice took on a pleading tone--"why
will you not take all we have and let us go? We are two helpless
people; we shall never betray your secrets. Why must you have me too?"

"Because I love you, Jacqueline," he cried, and now I heard an
undertone of passion which I had not suspected in the man. "I am not a
scoundrel, Jacqueline. Life is a hard game, and I have played it hard.
And I have loved you for a long time, but I would not tell you until I
had the right as well as the power--but now my love is my law, and I
will conquer you!"

He caught her in his arms. She uttered a little, gasping cry, and
struggled wildly and ineffectually in his grasp.

I was quite cold, for I knew that was to be the last of his villainies.
I entered the room and walked up to the table, my pistol raised, aiming
at his heart, and I felt my own heart beat steadily, and the will to
kill rise dominant above every hesitation.

Leroux spun round. He saw me, and he smiled his sour smile. He did