lerton?"

"Gone to bed. She's got a splitting headache, and seems to have got a
kind of frightened shock. Dick is with her now, but I'm going
directly."

"I'm sorry to hear that. It has been a trying enough day for any woman,
Heaven knows. But you, Miss Vidal. There isn't a man in the whole
outfit that isn't talking of your splendid pluck."

She smiled, rather wanly he thought, and shook her head.

"I wish they'd forget it then. I wish I could. Oh, Mr Lamont--I have
killed--men."

She uttered the words slowly, and in a tone of mingled horror and
sadness. This, then, accounted for the changed expression of her face.

"Strictly and in absolute self-defence. Not only in _self_-defence but
in defence of your helpless sister too. There is no room for one atom
of self-reproach in that," he went on, speaking rapidly, vehemently.
"Not only that, but your courage and readiness were important factors in
saving the situation until we arrived. Wyndham has been telling me all
about it."

She smiled, but it was a hollow sort of smile, and shook her head.

"It is good of you to try and comfort me. But do you mean it really?"

"Every word, really and entirely. `Men' you said just now. Beasts in
the shape of men you ought to have said, and would have if you had seen
what Peters and I saw only yesterday morning, only I don't want to shock
you any further. Yes, on second thoughts I will though, if only to set
those qualms of a too-sensitive conscience at rest. Well, we found the
mutilated remains of poor Tewson, and his womenkind and children--little
children, mind--whom these devils had murdered in their own home. I
could tell you even more that would bring it home to you, but I won't.
Now, have you any further scruples of conscience?"

"No, I haven't," she answered, both face and tone hardening as she
realised the atrocity in its full horror. "Thank you for telling me.
It has made a difference already. And now, Mr Lamont, I must go to my
sister. You have saved us from a horrible death, and I don't know how
to find words to thank you."

"Oh, as to that, you can incidentally count in about three dozen other
men. Not a man jack of them but did just as much as I did--some even
more."

She looked at him with such a sweet light glowing in her eyes, as
well-nigh to unsteady him.

"I'll believe that," she said, "when you've answered one question."

"And it--?"

"Who got together these men the moment he kn