he room.

With breath coming in gasps, he struggled on desperately, sometimes
gaining a little space and again losing more; and seeing himself,
despite his utmost efforts, forced nearer and nearer to the goal that
he knew meant his vanquishment. Inch by inch he fought the way with
his invisible enemy to the very bedside. Even there, with his last
ounce of strength, he made a final, futile effort to break away from
his intangible captor. Then he flung up his arms and covered his face
and with a long "oh-h-h," that was half a rageful, hysterical cry and
half a moan of despair, he sank face downward upon the bed.

He had lost the battle in what he had thought to be the very hour of
victory.

CHAPTER X

HUGH GORDON WINS HENRIETTA'S CONFIDENCE

Henrietta reached the office early that morning, lest her employer, in
his eagerness to push his work, now that he could devote himself to it
with undivided energies, should get there first. She looked forward to
the day with pleasant anticipations, for she had assisted him in this
way before and she liked it the best of all her duties. The books were
ready upon his desk, but he had not yet arrived. She waited for him
all the forenoon, employing herself as best she could, and still he
did not come.

In the afternoon she tried to get his apartment on the telephone, but
there was no answer. Surely, he would not have left the city, after
such preparations for a busy day, without sending her some message.
She called up Dr. Annister and asked if he had seen Mr. Brand that
day, or knew whether or not he had unexpectedly gone out of the city.
No, the doctor replied, he had not seen Mr. Brand since the evening
before, when he and Mildred and Mrs. Annister had gone to the theatre
together. As Mildred had been looking quite happy all day he did not
think Felix could have said anything about going out of town. And he
had promised to dine with them tomorrow night. Doubtless if he had
gone anywhere it was only for the day and Dr. Annister was cheerfully
confident Henrietta might expect to see him again on the morrow.

She lingered at the office an hour later than usual, hoping for some
word from the architect. But none came. The next morning she hurried
back, eagerly anticipating a letter or a telegram, but found neither.
All day she waited, her nerves on edge with expectation and anxiety,
but Brand did not come nor did he send her any message.

"This is worse than it was before,