ered at, considering its position, that I had not
found it.

In another moment the servant-accomplice would come to the assistance of
his master. Had it not been for Karine's presence I felt that I should
not have found it difficult in my present mood to have held them both in
check, but as it was I should greatly have preferred only one
antagonist.

The struggle in which I was engaged with Wildred had degenerated into a
species of wrestling match. I had him down on one knee at last, and
bending his arms behind him while he poured forth a volley of deadly
oaths--his strange, light eyes flashing into mine--I attempted to tie
his hands together with my silk handkerchief, wound into a slip-knot I
had learned to make at sea.

He was slippery as a serpent in my grasp, and it was taking all I knew
to manage him, when a cry from Karine gave me the first warning that I
was attacked from behind.

The confidential man had stolen in as noiselessly as I had crept upon
the roof and to the skylight.

"Take that, then!" I heard him snarl savagely, and a low exclamation
from my darling told me that in some way he had revenged himself upon
her. For an instant I lost my presence of mind and my hold upon Wildred.
Involuntarily I turned to go to Karine's rescue, and the movement was a
fatal one. Wildred was up like a rod of steel that has been forcibly
bent backward. The two threw themselves upon me together. I felt a
sharp, hot pain run fiercely through my side, and knew that I had been
stabbed. My one thought was for the girl. If they worked their will upon
me, and killed me before her eyes, what was to become of her?

"Run, Karine--escape!" I panted. I could not see her, but I was assured
that she had not obeyed by the loud screams for help which she was
desperately uttering.

Again I got Wildred down, but the other man was on top of me, and for
the second time I felt the burning pain, this time in my shoulder. I
fought like a mad creature now, with the intent to kill, which I had not
had before; but the conviction grew within me that, battle as I might,
the effort would be all in vain.

Sparks danced before my eyes, and then everything grew dim. Out of chaos
came a shriek from Karine. Could it be a cry of joy? What reason was
there for rejoicing?

But there followed a renewed crashing of glass, the muffled thud of feet
descending from a height upon the soft surface of rugs, and the sound of
men's voices.

It seemed to me