und the family at dinner on the back gallery, and the quiet
streets well-nigh deserted save by his own skilled and trusted "pals,"
from whose shoulders he had easily swung himself to the overhanging
structure at the front. He would doubtless retire that way the moment he
had stowed beneath his loose, flapping _ropas_ such items as he deemed
of marketable value.

He was even now stealthily moving across the floor to where her
dressing-table stood between the westward windows. The man must have the
eyes of a cat to see in the dark, or else personal and previous
knowledge of the premises. If she could only slip as noiselessly out by
the foot of the bed, interpose between him and the door and that one
wide-open window, then scream for help and grab him as he sprang, she
might hope to hold him a second or two, and then Brent and Dr. Frank
would be upon him.

All her trembling was from excitement: she knew no thought of fear. But
strong and steady hands were needed, not the fever-shattered members
only just beginning to regain their normal tone. She slid from
underneath the soft, light coverlet without a sound. The sturdy yet
elastic bottom of platted cane never creaked or complained. She softly
pushed outward the fine mosquito netting, gathered her dainty night-robe
closely about her slender form, and the next minute her little bare feet
were on the polished, hard-wood floor, the massive door barely five
short steps away. She cautiously lifted the netting till it cleared her
head, and then, crouching low, moved warily towards the dim, vertical
slit that told of subdued light in the salon.

There was no creak to those thick, black-wood planks with which Manila
mansions are floored. Her outstretched hand had almost reached the knob
when her knee collided with a light bamboo bedroom chair. There was
instant bamboo rasp and protest, followed by instant vigorous spring
across the room, and instant piercing scream from Maidie's lips.

Something dusky white shot before her eyes, something inky black and
dusky white was snatched at and seized by those nervous, slender, but
determined little hands. Something dropped with clash and clatter on the
resounding floor. Something ripped and tore as an agile, slippery,
squirming form bounded from her grasp over the casement to the veranda,
over the sill into the street, and when Brent and the doctor and the
women-folk came rushing in and lamps were brought and Brent went
shouting to sent