set down her foot. She held on to the arm of the
settee, and I could perceive her trembling. Her face had gone white
like paper, and she stared at the closed door. I moved quickly towards
her, for I was a doctor, if I had no other right there. My arrival
broke upon her thought; she started, and the colour flowed back slowly
into her face.

"That man is the most awful man I have ever seen," she said with a
shudder.

"He is not so awful as he thinks," I said encouragingly.

She shook her head, and moved away. I followed her. "If I might
suggest, I would advise you to take a rest," I said. "You have had a
most trying night."

"Yes--I will rest," she returned with a sigh; and then, as we walked
down the corridor together, "I thought you were right when you spoke
to--to my brother in regard to the revolver; but now I don't know. I
think anything that would rid the world of such a monster is
justifiable."

"Perhaps," I replied. "But he is making war, and we are on terms of
war, and more or less bound by them. At least, that is one's general
notion. But who can tell? The ethical boundaries, and the borders of
honour, are indefinable and intangible."

"I think I would have shot him myself," she said vehemently.

"I hope we shall hang him yet," I answered.

She looked at me out of her blue lustrous eyes, as if deliberating.

"We depend a good deal on you, Dr. Phillimore," she said next.

"We are all dependent on one another," said I.

"Do you suppose that man meant what he said?" she asked.

"No," I said. "I would distrust every statement of his. I can't
determine what was in his mind or what he is aiming at. But this I
know, that to make a compact with him would be to be at his mercy. He
is ruthless; he would not consider what blood he shed; and, besides, he
has committed himself too deeply, and is no fool to ignore that."

She sighed again. "I am glad," she murmured. "I thought perhaps that it
would be wise. But my brother would never consent. Only I was afraid.
But I am glad it would have been of no use. That makes only one course
possible."

"Only one," I said gravely. We came to a pause by the door of the
cabin. "I think I had better see to Mademoiselle," I said, "in case of
emergencies."

"Yes, please," she said with a start, and opened the door of the
_boudoir_.

Mademoiselle, clad in a wonderful dishabille, was seated under the
electric light, engaged in a game of dominoes with her maid, and just
th