as motionless as Walcott himself; she
feared lest the suddenness of the shock might prove too much for him. To
her relief, she heard Mr. Britton entering. He took in the situation at
a glance and sprang at once to her side.

"I am all right," she cried, brightly; "look after papa, first; then we
will attend to this creature."

With the revolver still levelled at Walcott, Kate slowly advanced
towards him.

"Give me that weapon!" she demanded.

He gave a sinister smile, but before she had taken another step, her
companion sprang into the room with a piercing cry and intercepted her:

"No, no, Senorita!" she exclaimed; "do not touch it! Mother of God! it
is poisoned; a single scratch means death!"

At sight of her, Walcott's face grew livid. "You fiend! You she-devil!"
he hissed; "this is your doing, is it?" and he burst into a torrent of
curses and imprecations.

"Be silent!" Mr. Britton ordered, sternly, and Kate accompanied the
command with an ominous click of her revolver. The wretch cowered into
silence, but his eyes glowed with fairly demoniac fury.

"Now," said Mr. Underwood, his faculties fully restored, "I want to know
the meaning of this; let us sift this whole thing to the bottom."

"Search your man, first, David," said Mr. Britton, and suiting the
action to the word he approached Walcott, but was warded off by the
woman standing near.

"No, no, Senor, a little turn of the wrist, so slight you would not see,
would cause death. I will take it from him; the viper dare not sting
me!"

As she extended her hand she tauntingly held her wrist close to the tiny
point, scarcely larger than a good-sized pin.

"Life and freedom are precious, Senor!" she said, in low, mocking tones,
as she took the weapon from him and handed it to Mr. Britton, who laid
it carefully on a table near by, and then proceeded to search Walcott's
clothing, saying.--

"I want you to see what you have been dealing with, David."

To the stiletto already placed upon the table were added another of
larger size, two loaded revolvers, several packages of valuable
securities taken from the vaults of the firm that afternoon, and a
nearly complete set of duplicate keys to the safes and deposit boxes of
the offices.

Mr. Britton then relieved Kate, congratulating her warmly, and stationed
himself near Walcott, who glowered like a wild beast that, temporarily
restrained by the keeper's lash, only awaits opportunity for a more
furious onsl