Miss Vaughan is in no danger.
Simmonds had two men in the grounds watching the house all last night,
ready to interfere at the least sign of anything wrong. That watch
will be kept up as long as Miss Vaughan remains there."

"That's good," he said. "I didn't know that. But just the same, she
mustn't remain there. Even with the men on guard, you may be too late."

"Just what is it you're afraid of?" I asked him, curiously. "Do you
think her life's in danger?"

"Worse than that!" said Swain thickly, his face suddenly livid. "Oh,
worse than that!"

I confess that I caught something of his horror; but I shook myself
impatiently.

"I can't believe that," I said. "But, in any case, our men will be at
hand. At the least outcry they will burst into the house. And
remember, the three servants are there."

"They cut no figure. If they didn't hear those screams the other
night, do you think they would hear any others? You must get her away
from there, Mr. Lester," he went on rapidly. "If she won't come of her
own accord, you must use force."

"But, my dear Swain," I objected, "I can't do that. Do you want me to
kidnap her?"

"Just that--if it's necessary."

"Then I'd soon be occupying a cell here, too. I don't see what good
that would do."

"It would save her," he asserted, doggedly. "It would save her. That's
the only thing to consider."

But I rose to my feet in sudden impatience; what consideration was she
showing for him or for me or for anyone?

"You're talking foolishly," I said. "You'd much better be thinking of
your own danger; it's much more real than hers." I had an impulse to
add that, since she had chosen her path, it was folly to waste pity
upon her, but I managed to check the words. "Has any new light on the
case occurred to you?"

"No," he answered, listlessly, "I haven't thought about it. When do
you see her again, Mr. Lester?"

"I'm to see her to-night."

"Will you give her a note from me?"

"Yes," I agreed.

His face lighted again at that, and he cleared a corner of his table
and sat down to write the note. It was evidently difficult to compose,
for he tore up two drafts before he got one to suit him. But at last
it was done, and he folded it, rummaged an envelope out of a pile of
papers on a chair, slipped the note into it, and handed it to me.

"There," he said, and his face was bright with hope. "I think that
will settle it."

I was far from sharing his certainty, but I put the enve