on the stairs.

"Mr. Markel and I are going out for a little walk," he announced coolly.
"If one of you make a move or raise an alarm before your master comes
back, I shall be obliged, in self-defence, to shoot--Mr. Markel. Mr.
Markel quite understands that--I am sure. Do you not, Mr. Markel?"

"Helen," screamed Markel to his wife, "don't let 'em move! For God's
sake, do as he says!"

Jimmie Dale's lips, just showing beneath the edge of his mask, broadened
in a pleasant little smile.

"Will you lead the way, Mr. Markel?" he requested, with ironic
deference. "Through the dining room, please. Yes, that's right!"

Markel walked weakly into the dining room, and Jimmie Dale followed. A
prod in the back from the revolver muzzle, and Markel stepped through
the French windows and out on the lawn. Jimmie Dale faced the other
toward the woods at the rear of the house.

"Go on!" Jimmie Dale's voice was curt now, uncompromising. "And step
lively!"

They passed on along the side of the house and in among the trees. Fifty
yards or so more, and Jimmie Dale halted. He backed Markel up against a
large tree--not over gently.

"I--I say"--Markel's teeth were going like castanets. "I--"

"You'll oblige me by keeping your mouth shut," observed Jimmie Dale
politely--and he whipped the cord of Markel's dressing gown loose
and began to tie the man to the tree. "You have many unpleasant
characteristics, Markel--your voice is one of them. Shall I repeat that
I do not like you?" He stepped to the back of the tree. "Pardon me if I
draw this uncomfortably tight. I don't think you can reach around to the
knot. No? The trunk is too large? Quite so!" He stepped around to face
Markel again--the man was thoroughly frightened, his face was livid, his
jaw sagged weakly, and his eyes followed every movement of the revolver
in Jimmie Dale's hand in a sort of miserable fascination. Jimmie Dale
smiled unhappily. "I am going to do something, Markel, that I should
advise no other man to do--I am going to put you on your honour! For the
next fifteen minutes you are not to utter a sound. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes," said Markel hoarsely.

"No," said Jimmie Dale sadly, "I don' think you do. Let me be painfully
explicit. If you break your vow of silence by so much as a second, then
to-morrow, or the next day, or the day after, at my convenience, Markel,
you and I will meet again--for the LAST time. There can be no possible
misapprehension on your part