and struggled valiantly.

"No, no, you shall not go! You shall stay here until my father comes!"

"That is just what I want to do! Pardon me, there is really no
necessity to hold me so fast. I am not going to run away!" returned the
young fellow, laughing, but in a somewhat impatient fashion. He had no
ambition to be discovered in this melodramatic attitude, and once more
made an effort to escape. The grasp on her wrist was gentle, but withal
wonderfully strong, and to Esmeralda's horror she found it impossible to
struggle against it. The thought that the thief was escaping after all
was too humiliating to be borne, and as one hand after the other was
forced back she grew desperate, and raised her voice in a shrill cry for
help.

"Help! Help! Murder! Thieves! He-l-p!"

"My dear, good girl!" exclaimed the Murderer blankly, overcome with
amazement, and allowing himself to be once more seized in a detaining
grasp, while Esmeralda poured the vials of her wrath upon him.

"How dare you call me names! It's a horsewhip you'll be feeling on your
back for this, once my father is here. I'll hold you tight till he
comes!"

The stranger looked at her, tried to speak, choked hopelessly, and was
just attempting a stammering, "You are really most--complimentary!" when
the sound of flying footsteps came from above, and Bridgie rushed
headlong down the staircase. Poor Bridgie, what a sight was that which
met her eye! In the middle of the hall stood the figure of the tall
Englishman, his face all sparkling with fun, his arms hanging slack by
his sides, while Esmeralda clasped him in close embrace, reiterating
shrilly--

"I'll hold you tight! I'll hold you tight!"

"For pity's sake, Esmeralda, let go of him this minute!" she cried,
rushing to the rescue, and laying soothing hands upon her sister's
shoulder. "There's nothing to be frightened at, dear; it's just that
wicked Pat, who ought to be destroyed for his pains. It's no ghost,
darling. See, now, he's laughing at you. Ghosts don't laugh! He's
nothing but a man after all!"

"He's a thief! He was trying to get the things out of the cabinet. I
am holding him until father comes, so that he may give him in charge!"
gasped Esmeralda wildly; and Hilliard looked from one sister to the
other with eyes dancing with amusement.

"I'm neither ghost nor thief, as Major O'Shaughnessy will testify when
he arrives. I'm really exceedingly sorry to have made such an
u