rough. "Go with the old man
at once, or you sha'n't live another day!"

"Go yourself, beast, and keep your hand from that pistol, or I'll fire,
I swear!"

The utter silence in the room after these words were spoken was broken
by the sharp clicking of two pistols, and half stunned for the moment,
as he listened for the reports, Chester, recalling what must have
happened on the night when he was first called in, threw himself before
Marion to screen her from any bullet which might come there.

The act necessitated the loosening of his grasp, and with a wild cry
Marion sprang from him, to rush in the direction of her brother's voice.

"The door!" shouted the professor, and it was banged to and bolted by
Dennis, as the old man sprang to his side, touched the stud, and the
room was suffused with the soft electric light, showing the two
adversaries, not a couple of yards apart, and Marion clinging to her
brother's arm, Chester just behind.

James Clareborough burst into a yell of mocking laughter.

"Picture--tableau--curtain!" he roared. "End of Act the Second,
gentlemen. Loud cries for author and heroine. A success--a success!
Marion, my charming, sweet, chaste, innocent cousin, I congratulate you.
Beautifully done. Doctor, I salute you. Brave, honourable, noble,
frank, winner of the heroine's love--what a happy combination of
gallantry and business! I presume that, vulture-like, you scented
carrion, and came for another job; but sweet, innocent Marion here was
premature. Marion, beloved one; caught here in the dark! Oh, fie!"

"Curse you! hold your mocking tongue!" cried Robert, fiercely. "You,
Chester, how came you here?"

"Ha-ha-ha!" cried James Clareborough, "what a question! Our sweet
Marion."

"Hound! Speak of my sister in that way again, and I'll fire."

"Bah!" retorted his cousin, contemptuously, and, without heeding him, he
turned to Chester, covered him with his pistol, and in a low, fierce
growl bade him sit down in the nearest chair.

Chester did not stir.

"Once more, you meddling idiot, sit down!" cried James Clareborough,
menacingly, and Marion sprang from her brother's side to stand between
them.

"Very well, I can wait. Now, all of you, our plans are known. Like a
set of idiots, we have sat smoking and babbling before this fool, who
could not be content with his last visit, but must intrude again, play
the spy, and suffer for his knowledge. Uncle--Dennis, my lad, you agree
wit