unlocked last night, hide in the hallway,
then enter the house quietly or boldly, as the case may be. Plan one: a
message from his excellency to Miss Leveret, that he wishes her to join
him on the Nell Gwynn. Once outside it's all right. She cannot escape
us. We have our cloaks and we have the Spanish drug. Plan two: make her
ours in the house. Out by this hall door-through the grounds--to the
beach--the boat in waiting--and so, up anchor and away! Both risky, as
you see, but the bolder the game the sweeter the spoil. You're sure her
chamber is above the hallway, and that there's a staircase to it from
the main hall?"

"I am very well sure. I know the house up-stairs and down."

Bucklaw looked to his arms. He was about starting on his quest when they
heard footsteps, and two figures appeared. It was Iberville and Gering.
They paused a moment not far from where the rogues were hid.

"I think you will agree," said Iberville, "that we must fight."

"I have no other mind."

"You will also be glad if we are not come upon, as last night; though,
confess, the lady gave you a lease of life?"

"If she comes to-night, I hope it will be when I have done with you,"
answered Gering.

Iberville laughed a little, and the laugh had fire in it--hatred, and
the joy of battle. "Shall it be here or yonder in the pines, where we
were in train last night?"

"Yonder."

"So." Then Iberville hummed ironically a song:

"Oh, bury me where I have fought and fallen,
Your scarf across my shoulder, lady mine."

They passed on. "The game is in our hands," said Bucklaw. "I understand
this thing. That's a pair of gallant young sprigs, but the choice is
your Frenchman, Radisson."

"I'll pink his breast-bone full of holes if the other doesn't--curse
him."

A sweet laugh trickled from Bucklaw's lips like oil. "That's neither
here nor there. I'd like to have him down Acapulco way, dear lad... And
now, here's my plan all changed. I'll have my young lady out to stop the
duel, and, God's love, she'll come alone. Once here she's ours, and they
may cut each other's throats as they will, sweetheart."

He crossed the yard, tried the door,--unlocked, as he had left
it,--pushed it open, and went in, groping his way to the door of the
dining-room. He listened, and there was no sound. Then he heard some one
go in. He listened again. Whoever it was had sat down. Very carefully he
felt for the spring and opened the door. Jessica was seat