ts owner locked in silence and immobility? Surely startled
innocence would have cried out, questioned my grasp or struggled against
it! My captive did neither.

I began to paint a picture against the darkness; the picture of a
crouching woman, fear-paralyzed; not daring to stir, to sob or pant or
shiver lest she betray herself. Or, perhaps, a woman who was not hushed
by panic, but by deliberation. A woman who slowly levelled a weapon,
assuring her aim in the blank darkness by such guides as my breathing
and the taut direction of her imprisoned tresses. An ugly woman could
not have such hair as this. Or, could she? I had a doubtful recollection
of various long-haired demonstrators glimpsed in drugshop windows, who
were not beautiful. Yes, but they would never have found themselves in
such a situation as this one! Only resolve or recklessness could bring a
woman to such a pass; and with spirit and this hair no woman could be
ugly.

How quiet she was! I suddenly reflected that she must be thinking the
same thing of me, since neither of us had moved during a considerable
space of time. Possibly she fancied me only half-aroused, and hoped that
I would relapse into sleep without realizing upon what my drowsy grasp
had closed. No doubt it would have been the course of chivalry for me to
pretend to do so, but it was not the course of curiosity.

The deadlock could not last indefinitely. Apparently, though, it must be
I who should break it. As quietly as possible, I brought my left hand
forward to grope along that silken line which certainly must guide me to
the intruder herself. My hand slipped along the smooth surface to the
full reach of my arm; and encountered nothing. Check, for the first
attempt! The candle and matches I had bought in the village were also
beyond my reach, unless I released my captive and rolled across the bed
toward the little bookcase where I had placed them beside the
flashlight. If I should speak, what would she do? And--a new
thought!--was she alone in the house?

There came a gentle draw at the braid, instantly ceasing as I
automatically tightened my hold. The pretense that I slept was ended. I
spoke, as soothingly and kindly as I could manage.

"If you will let me strike a light, we can explain to each other. Or, if
you will agree not to escape----?"

In spite of my efforts, my voice boomed startlingly through the dark,
still room. No reply followed, but the braid quivered and suddenly
relaxe