wrist stood
out with the tense distinction of whipcords.

While Robert was engaged in restoring the coins to the bag, the only
sound came from the derisive click and fall of the gold-pieces as they
chinked their mockery into the ears of the raging prisoner.

As the last coin joined its fellows a neighboring clock chimed the hour
of two.

"Good!" exclaimed Gratz; "there is time to settle this business before
morning"; and turning to the Sepoy he added: "I will trouble you to
precede me to your room."

There was something unreal in the silence which the Sepoy still
maintained and the enforced apathy with which he proceeded to obey
these instructions, and Robert, unaccustomed to such episodes as this,
in which he was a contributing factor, was more affected than if he had
witnessed some violent demonstration or listened to a raging
vituperation.

The transit of the trio from the cellar to the apartment of the Sepoy
was effected without attracting further regard, and the balance of the
boarders slept away in snoring oblivion and provided another instance of
the frail partition which separates the violent from the placid.

Arrived at the room of their swarthy prisoner, Gratz provided the
uncomfortable Robert with the relief he required by instructing him to
hasten to his uncle and summon him to the scene, and to avoid giving him
any of the details of what had transpired.

Glad to escape the depression of the gloomy vicinity, and the unabashed
directness of the Sepoy's glance, the young man hurried away.

If the terrible concentration which the Sepoy resumed, with his luminous
eyes upon the countenance of the detective, affected the latter, there
was certainly no such evidence.

It was as dull and lifeless as ever; the eyelids had fallen to their
accustomed suggestion of ambush, and it seemed scarcely possible that
the sharp directions of a few moments since could issue from such
flaccid lips, and so much determination could dominate such an
insignificant figure.

Apparently exasperated by the undemonstration of this negative aspect,
the Sepoy was near the limit of his repression.

The lines about his lips relaxed somewhat, the pupils of his eyes
reduced their staring diameter, and his head was inclined forward a
trifle.

Gratz concluded that his companion had decided to speak.

He was not mistaken.

"Can I be spared the humiliation of meeting that old dotard you have
sent for?"

"I do not see how," repl