lision that put the man out of business and knocked
all the fight out of him. He lay on the floor and rolled about in an
agony of pain, and the negro stood over him, apparently waiting for a
fitting opportunity to put in the finishing touch, but his hard head
had done the work for the time being.

[Illustration: Whistling Jim ran into him head down like a bull.]

I judged that the ruffian had friends among the guests, but when I
turned to keep an eye on them the room was clear. Even the landlord had
retired. The lad was standing by my side, and my impression is that he
was holding me by the sleeve of my coat. I turned to him, and I was
more certain than ever that he was either Jane Ryder or her brother.
But it was only when she spoke again that I was sure--for not even a
twin brother could simulate that round and singularly mellow voice. "I
am afraid you have made matters somewhat hard for me," she said,
somewhat sadly, "and heaven knows that I have had trouble enough for
one night."

"Well, you will have no more trouble here, at any rate," I said.

"I'd feel easier if I were sure of that," she remarked.

"Be assured," I answered. "When I leave this house you will go with me.
I propose to take you to your friends, if you have any in the
neighborhood; otherwise you go with me. You shall not stay here for
that ruffian to abuse and misuse you."

"I'll go with you as far as the door if only to thank you for the
unnecessary protection you have given me. There are many things that
you do not understand."

"And many that I do," I replied as significantly as I dared. "I want no
thanks, and you shall not remain in this house to-night. That is
settled." She made a birdlike movement with her head and shoulders,
looked me up and down, and smiled, but she saw that I was in earnest,
and the smile left her face.

"Where shall I go?" she asked.

"Anywhere but here," I answered. "Anywhere away from that," I pointed
to the man on the floor. He had raised himself to a sitting posture,
and was rocking himself to and fro with his arms hugging his knees,
apparently in great pain.

"He is not always as you see him to-night," she insisted. Then she
turned to me impulsively, "I'll go with you; I know a house where I
have very dear friends. But I must tell my friend here good-night--the
lady you spoke with." She ran into the inner room, and then I heard her
going lightly upstairs. She came down in a moment with color in her
face and