lder against
the lock. The door gave before him, nearly precipitating him headlong
into the room.

He managed to save himself and stepped hurriedly within. Then he again
stood listening. The room was quite dark, but now he had no difficulty
in placing the moaning. It came from just across the room beside Eve's
stove.

"Eve," he called softly. "Eve!" But as no answer came a great fear
gripped his heart. Was this a repetition of---- No, Will was away out
in the mountains.

Now the moaning was louder, and there was a distinct rustling whence
the sound came. He fumbled a match from his pocket and struck it. One
glance toward the stove set him rushing across to the parlor lamp.

He lit the lamp and hurried back to the chair beside the stove. He
needed but one glance to realize Eve's condition, and his heart was
filled with a great rage. Who? Who had done this thing? was the
question that ran through his mind as he set to work to undo the cruel
bonds that held her to her chair.

It was the work of a few moments to remove the gag that was nearly
choking her. Then the knots about her wrists and feet were swiftly
undone. Released at last, Eve sank back in a semi-fainting condition,
and Jim looked on helplessly. And in those moments he made up his mind
that some one was going to pay dearly for this.

Then it occurred to him that no time must be lost, so he hurried into
the kitchen and came back with a dipper of drinking water. He held it
to the girl's lips, and after she had drunk he soaked his handkerchief
in what remained, and bathed her forehead and temples with a wonderful
tenderness and silent sympathy.

But suddenly Eve opened her eyes. And at once he saw that her weakness
had passed. The horror of recollection was alive once more within her,
and her terrified eyes sought his. When she saw who he was she sprang
to her feet with a great cry.

"Jim!" she cried. And, staggering in her weakness, she would have
fallen.

He caught her just in time, and gently returned her to her seat. But
with a great effort she overcame her faintness.

"For God's sake, save him!" she cried wildly. "Oh, Jim, he's gone to
kill him! Save him for me! Only save him!"

The position was difficult. Jim's heart bled for the distraught woman.
But he realized that he must calm her at once, or she would break out
into shrieking hysterics.

"Be calm, Eve," he said almost roughly. "How can I understand when you
talk like that? Don't let's hav