n face of the odds against
him, and there he sat revolving the matter in his mind when suddenly
there sounded a little tick-tick like the tick-tick of a telegraph
machine. The men did not notice the tick-tick, it was so low and sounded
like the involuntary cracking that is sometimes heard from dried
furniture when a fire is first ignited in a room. To our hero, though,
this very singular tick-tick came with a wonderful significance; indeed,
to him it was a language. It was a telegraphic message, and he knew that
he was all right. Indeed, he received full instructions as to what he
might expect; he learned when and how he was to give a signal at the
extreme moment when he needed help. We will not at present attempt to
describe his surprise and his admiration of the faithful one who like
his shadow must have followed on his track to do the succor act when
succor was needed. Oscar did not change his demeanor. He acted as though
he still feared the terrible ordeal which confronted him.

"You must fight me," said Girard, "and I show you great mercy in giving
you a chance for your life."

"Why must I fight you?"

"You are a sneak. You have imposed upon my confidence. You have forced
your way into my rooms, having in mind a treacherous purpose."

"I did not seek you. No, sir, you sought me; you invited me here. I
declined to come. You forced yourself upon me. I did not force myself in
here."

"I thought you were a gentleman."

"I am a gentleman."

"You must fight me all the same."

"I can see," said Oscar, "you men are a gang of confidence men--robbers.
You have inveigled me here to rob me. I will not be robbed. I will yell
for the police."

One of the men aimed a revolver at our hero and said:

"Open your mouth to utter one cry and you are a dead man."

"You men dare to threaten me?"

"Yes, we dare to threaten. You shall not betray us."

"Aha! I see my conclusions are correct. You are thieves and fear
betrayal."

"We only fear being belied by a rascal like you. We're all gentlemen; we
have reputations. We do not desire to rest under a false imputation of
being gamblers. Now then you have one chance. Tell us just who you are
and your purpose and we may spare you; otherwise--" The man stopped.

"What will you do otherwise?"

"Kill you."

"See here; you men cannot double-bank me. I am not here to be robbed. I
see through this farce. You rascals cannot scare me."

"Hear!" exclaimed one of the men. "He is i