shrank back in
alarm.

A cocked derringer gleamed in the hand of Nell Darrel, and the open
muzzle was pointed at his breast.

This was as disagreeable as it was unexpected.

A low-muttered oath fell from the lips of the baffled villain.

"Girl, have a care, that weapon may go off," he cried, in a voice
husky with disappointment and rage.

"It WILL go off if you do not depart at once," she answered, with all
the sternness she was able to muster.

"Hand that pistol to me."

"Never! Its contents you will get if you dare advance another step."

Harper Elliston realized that he was baffled for the present. He had
never suspected the presence of a weapon on the person of Nell Darrel,
else he would have disarmed her at the outset.

After a moment of hesitancy the villain turned and strode from the
place. When Nell attempted to follow she was confronted by a solid oak
door that Elliston had quickly closed and locked behind him.

With a low moan Nell retreated and sank weak and trembling on the
miserable cot, and for the next few minutes gave free rein to her
alarm in tears.

In the meantime Elliston hurried above, and confronted Madge Scarlet
with a terrible frown on his brow.

"You and that red-headed Professor have played a smart trick on me,
old woman, a mighty smart trick; but let me tell you it won't go down
for a cent. I don't like it much, neither."

"Eh? I don't understand," said Mrs. Scarlet.

"I'll make you understand," and Elliston advanced angrily upon the
woman, and raised his hand.

"Strike if you dare!"

She looked ugly at that moment.

"You're just capable of strikin' a woman," sneered Madge Scarlet.
"I've seen such critters before. God never meant them for men,
however."

Mr. Elliston held his hand. He saw that he had come near making a
mistake.

"Forgive me, Mrs. Scarlet," he said in a subdued voice. "I was beside
myself, but I had reason to be. Do you know that Nell Darrel is
armed?"

"No."

"She IS, nevertheless, with a pistol. She's a perfect tigress, and
would as soon shoot me as not. I shall leave it for you to get the
weapon from her."

"I can do it easy enough."

"I hope so. To-night I will have more definite plans. I may conclude
to take the girl away then."

Mr. Elliston passed from the room. He had been gone but a few minutes
when another person entered--Nick Brower, the tool and friend of Mrs.
Scarlet and the Professor.

"Well, what's the news, Nick. My nephew is