is life. He
tried to rise, but the heavy foot of Luke Robbins was on his breast.

"Let me up!" he growled.

"You don't deserve to get up! You shall lie there forever for your
cowardice in attacking a woman!"

"I would rather it had been you!" said John Fox bitterly.

"You are safe in attacking a woman," said the detective in scornful
sarcasm.

The outlaw was stung by his assailant's scorn.

"I have attacked many better men than you," he replied, "and some have not
lived to tell the tale!"

"So you own up to being a murderer? I am ready to believe you. I have a
great mind to shoot you where you lie!" and Luke pointed his revolver at
the prostrate outlaw.

"That would be the act of a coward," said John Fox, hastily, his cheek
turning pale.

"Not exactly that, for I have mastered you in a fair fight, but there is
one thing that holds back my hand. Do you know what it is?"

"Well?"

"I should cheat the gallows of its due. Here, farmer!"

Ezekiel Mason, pale and trembling, was standing on the threshold.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Go and get another rope."

The farmer left the house, and going to an outhouse returned with a stout
clothes-line.

"Tie him again while I hold him," was Luke's command. "Tie him as securely
as before--more so, if possible. How did you get loose?"

"Find out for yourself!" said the outlaw sullenly.

"I mean to, and I don't intend that you shall escape a second time."

Meanwhile John Fox was execrating his folly in not escaping when he had
the chance. If he had not waited for the revolver and money he might by
this time have been out of danger.

Yet he was not without hope. He still had the knife in his pocket. It was
ready for use and he meant to use it.

No doubt he would be taken back to the attic. If Luke Robbins should be
his companion, all the better. After cutting his bonds the knife might end
the life of the man who had inflicted such humiliation upon him.

He did not speak, but his eyes betrayed him. There was such a revengeful
gleam in them that Luke read their meaning without trouble.

"If I am ever at the mercy of that ruffian," he thought, "I wouldn't give
much for my chance of keeping a whole skin."

When the outlaw lay securely bound Luke summoned the farmer.

"Watch him for five minutes, Mr. Mason," he said. "I am going to the attic
to learn if I can how he got loose."

Ezekiel Mason looked uncomfortable, but did not object. He was half afraid
of John