y.

"Why did they come disguised?"

"Please do not ask me any more!" pleads the poor woman.

"Mrs. Dodge, you and your husband are in danger from these two villains.
Tell me everything!"

"They were being shadowed, and I must go with them."

"Why?"

"On account of the London business."

"Were you to go with them to see your husband?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Near the wharf."

"Did you go?"

"No, I could not leave my sick child."

"The steamer arrived last night?"

"Yes."

"You did not see your husband?"

"No."

"He is in danger; tell me all about it!"

Greatly frightened, Mary Dodge continues:

"They urged me to go anyhow, as it would not take long. I positively
refused to leave my sick girl at that time of night. Pierre Lanier
frowned and Paul looked awfully fierce. They scared me so! It then
seemed to me that they would kill us both."

"Why?"

"Pierre owes my husband several hundred pounds, and I know about it."

"Were the Laniers and Mr. Dodge to come back with you to this place?"

"Pierre said for me to go with them to a house; they would leave and
soon return with my husband, and we could talk it all over."

"It is well for you that you did not go."

"Why do you think that?"

"You never would have returned."

"But have they murdered my husband?"

"It is probable that your refusal to go saved his life. When did the
Laniers say they would again call?"

"When they left, Pierre said:

"'We may call again to-night and bring some one to stay with the
children.'

"I replied, 'Do bring William with you!'

"Pierre said:

"'Not yet; it would be unsafe.'"

Realizing that an emergency in the life of the Dodge family is at hand,
and that there must be prompt action to prevent tragic results, Sir
Donald gives directions.

Mrs. Dodge must stay in the balance of the day, with bolted doors. If at
night the Laniers call, she is to admit them. Sir Donald and another man
will come in the early evening, and occupy the next room, which shall be
without light. She must have only a dim candle in the other room. Watch
will be kept of the Lanier movements. If any violence be thought of, she
need have no fear of results. Sir Donald and his assistant will protect
her.

Much agitated, Mary Dodge consents, fully convinced of Sir Donald's
friendly purposes.

That evening at twilight supplies are brought, and the two spies take
their places in the dark room.

After about three hours, a knock is h