't. If you do not speak, I shall. Oh, my God! Don't you see--I love
you--I love you so--what do I care about this foolish snuff box? I want
you--you--and I _won't_ let them take you away from me."

"Grace, you shall not tell them."

"I will."

"I forbid it."

"I cannot help it, Richard. I am ready to disobey you--if I must, to
save your life. Even if you turn from me--afterward--I cannot help it. I
refuse to let them go ahead with this thing."

He groaned in desperation. "Please--please--my girl--listen to me. You
must not speak. We must think of our duty to those who have trusted us.
Wait, I implore you. Don't do this!"

"I will. I have a duty to you which is greater than my duty to them. Dr.
Hartmann!" she screamed. "I will tell everything--everything." She
collapsed against the wall and sobbed as though her heart would break.

In a few moments they heard Hartmann and Mayer descending the steps, and
the door was thrown open.

"Ah, so you have come to your senses, have you?" the doctor cried.
"Well, what have you to say?"

Grace raised her head. "If I tell you where the ivory snuff box is
hidden," she said, "will you let my husband go?"

"Yes. Your husband, and yourself, and the rat we've just caught sneaking
around outside. He's up in the laboratory now. You can all take
yourselves off as quickly as you like, when once the snuff box is in my
hands. Now speak."

"First, let my husband up."

Hartmann went to the wall, and switching off the violet rays, turned on
the electric lamp, then nodded to Mayer. "Unbind him," he said.

Duvall staggered to his feet, half-blinded. As he did so, Hartmann
turned to Grace. "Speak!" he commanded. "We are wasting time."

Before Grace could reply, Duvall turned to her.

"I forbid you," he cried. "If you do this thing, I will never see you
again as long as I live. You are destroying my honor. I refuse to let
you do it. Stop!"

The girl hesitated, and Hartmann swore a great oath. "Take her out of
here, Mayer," he cried. "She'll never speak, as long as her husband is
present to dissuade her. Up with her to the laboratory. She'll talk
there, quick enough."

"No!" Duvall staggered toward her. "You shall not." His movements were
slow and uncertain, due to the blinding pain in his eyes, and his
stiffened, nerve-racked limbs. Hartmann pushed him aside angrily. "Be
quiet," he growled. "Let the woman alone."

Meanwhile Hartmann's companion had torn away the strap which bound