of self-defense, and that he had an adversary worthy of
his steel.

"Are you coming along peaceably with me, or shall I be obliged to call
upon my pals for assistance?" he asked, grimly.

"I propose to defend myself against all odds," answered Lester, more
than angry with himself for falling so easily into the trap that had
been so cunningly set for him.

He had but a few dollars in money about him, and the disappointment of
his assailant in not finding a large roll of bills would in all
probability cause the man to take desperate chances in trying to make
away with him. If he was armed he was at the fellow's mercy. There might
be half a dozen accomplices in collusion with him, he had little doubt.

Again the cabby uttered that peculiar cough which was half a whistle,
and in response two men, whose features were covered by black masks,
sprang from the adjacent bushes.

Our hero put up a splendid defense, but the united strength of his three
antagonists at length overpowered him.

What was there in the figure of one of the men that seemed so familiar
to him? he wondered, and just as they were bearing him to the ground by
their united efforts, he suddenly reached forward and tore the mask from
his assailant's face.

One glance, and the horror of death seemed to suddenly freeze the blood
in his veins. His eyes dilated and seemed to nearly burst from their
sockets. The face into which he gazed was that of Clinton Kendale, his
cousin.

"You!" he gasped, quite disbelieving the evidence of his own senses.

Kendale laughed a diabolical laugh, while his features were distorted
into those of a fiend incarnate.

"I haven't the least hesitation in admitting my identity," he said,
coolly. "Yes, you are in good hands, if you give us no trouble, and come
along quietly, without compelling us to use further force."

"What is the meaning of this outrage?" cried Lester, white to the lips.

"That you shall learn all in good time, cousin mine," replied Kendale,
mockingly.

In struggling out of their grasp to better protect himself, Lester fell
headlong on the icy ground, striking his head heavily against the
gnarled, projecting root of a tree and lying at their feet like one
dead.

"He will give us little enough trouble now," said Kendale, grimly. "Lend
a hand there, both of you, and get him into the house quickly. I am
almost frozen to death here."

In less time than it takes to narrate it, Lester Armstrong was hurriedl