he
whole mystery would have been exposed. But Sartoris propelled his chair
forward and grabbed Berrington by the arm.

"You cowards," he yelled. "If I were not cursed by these crippled bones
of mine, I would have plucked that fellow's heart from his body. Don't
stand there like a lot of mummies. Pull him back, I say, pull him back."

The harsh, ringing command seemed to restore the other listeners to a
sense of what they owed to themselves. With a cry, the man called Reggie
was on Berrington, though Mary Sartoris had fallen and clasped him
around the knees. With an oath, Bentwood darted forward and flung
himself upon Berrington's shoulders. The struggle was a hot one, for the
Colonel fought well, but the odds were too many for him, and he was
borne at length heavily to the ground. His head came in contact with the
floor, and he lay there just a minute dazed and giddy.

He had failed, too, which was the most humiliating part of the business.
He had, at any cost, resolved to make assurance doubly sure. He could
see the grinning triumph on the face of Sartoris, as he scrambled to his
feet; he could see the tears in Mary's eyes. For the personal danger to
himself he cared nothing.

"Let's make an end of it," Sartoris cried. "He's too dangerous to live.
Let us make an end of him. Dead men tell no tales."

"No, no," Mary cried. "You shall not do it. No, no."

"Then go and fetch the police," Sartoris said with a little laugh.
"Fetch them in, I say. Let them come here and investigate, and after
that you can stand in the dock and give evidence against your own
brother. My child, you are free to depart as soon as you like. Go now!"

Mary Sartoris stood there trembling and hesitating. Sartoris wheeled
his chair rapidly and dexterously across to her, and then raised his
fist in a threatening manner. For a moment it seemed as if he meant to
strike the girl.

"Go now!" He repeated his command harshly. "Go at once! Go out of my
house and never come back again, you white-faced mewling cat. Pah, you
dare not do anything. You are not to stay in the room. Go!"

The girl seemed dazed and unable to exercise her own will. She crept
with faltering steps to the door. As she was going out, she turned an
eye of affection on Berrington.

"If you will only promise me that there will be no violence," she said,
"I----"

"I promise that," Bentwood said in a cringing voice. He was the only man
there who seemed to be restless and uneasy an