and, seizing a cane that stood close by,
struck him across the face with all the force of her outraged womanhood.

"Murderer! Assassin!" she cried indignantly. "How dare you talk like
that to me? I will denounce you to the whole world. I will not rest
till I see you and that other scoundrel punished and my poor husband is
avenged. On leaving here I shall go direct to the police."

Imbued with strength she never dreamed she possessed, she was about to
hit him again when he seized the cane and threw it away. But across
his pale, handsome face lay a telltale red mark, the smart of which
burned into his soul.

His eyes flashed with anger and he made a visible effort to control
himself. He took a step forward and, as he advanced she saw an
expression in his face which prompted her to retreat precipitately. It
was a dangerous look, the look of a man who knew he had a helpless
woman in his power, a man who was desperate and would stop at nothing
to encompass his ends. Now thoroughly frightened, she looked around
for some way to escape. The windows were impossible, the only way was
by the door and he barred the way. Besides, she would never go without
her child.

He noticed the movement and look of alarm, and he smiled. Continuing
to advance, he said:

"There's no use making a fuss. No one could hear you if you shouted
for help till the crack of doom. You are alone with me--and absolutely
in my power. Do as I ask and there is nothing you shall not have.
Refuse, and I answer for nothing. Come----"

Her whole body trembling, her face white with terror, she kept on
retreating:

"Leave me alone!" she gasped, "or I will scream."

"Scream away," he laughed. "There's no one here to hear you."

Suddenly he made a quick lunge forward and seized her. She struggled
and resisted with all the energy born of despair, pushing, twisting,
scratching. But they were too unevenly matched. She was like an
infant in the grasp of an Hercules. Slowly, she felt her strength
leaving her. His iron grasp gradually closed on her, nearer and nearer
he drew her into his embrace.

With a last, superhuman effort, she managed to wrench herself free, out
of his grip, and breaking completely away, she fled into the next room.
But he was after her in a minute and again seized her, but not before
she screamed at the top of her voice:

"Help! Help! Kenneth! Wilbur! Help! Help!"

He tried to gag her mouth to stifle her cries,