ed it."

Indeed, the rain was descending in a perfect deluge, its continuous
roar drowning all other sounds; but as we three listened tensely
we detected a noise which hitherto had seemed like the overflowing
of some spout.

But louder and clearer it grew, until at last I knew it for what
it was.

"It's a motor-car!" I cried.

"And coming here!" added Soar. "Listen! it's in the lane!"

"It certainly isn't a taxicab," declared Hilton. "None of the men
will come beyond the village."

"That's the gate!" said Soar, in an awed voice, and stood up,
looking at Hilton.

"Come on," said the latter abruptly, making for the door.

"Be careful, Hilton!" I cried; "it may be a trick!"

Soar unbolted the front door, threw it open, and looked out. In
the darkness of the storm it was almost impossible to see anything
in the lane outside. But at that moment a great sheet of lightning
split the gloom, and we saw a taxicab standing close up to the
gateway!

"Help! Open the gate!" came a high-pitched voice; "open the gate!"

Out into the rain we ran and down the gravel path. Soar had the
gate open in a twinkling, and a woman carrying a brown leather grip,
but who was so closely veiled that I had no glimpse of her features,
leapt through on to the drive.

"Lend a hand, two of you!" cried a vaguely familiar voice--"this way!"

Hilton and Soar stepped out into the road. The driver of the cab
was lying forward across the wheel, apparently insensible, but as
Hilton seized his arm he moved and spoke feebly.

"For God's sake be quick, sir!" he said. "They're after us!
They're on the other side of the lane, there!"

With that he dropped limply into Hilton's arms!

He was dragged in on to the drive--and something whizzed over our
heads and went sputtering into the gravel away up toward the house.
The last to enter was the man who had come in the cab. As he barred
the gate behind him he suddenly reached out through the bars and I
saw a pistol in his hand.

Once--twice--thrice--he fired into the blackness of the lane.

"Take that, you swine!" he shouted. "Take that!"

As quickly as we could, bearing the insensible man, we hurried back
to the door. On the step the woman was waiting for us, with her
veil raised. A blinding flash of lightning came as we mounted the
step--and I looked into the violet eyes of Carneta! I turned and
stared at the man behind me.

It was Earl Dexter.

Three of the mysterious missiles f