sm

other vehicles. It took a crossing at a single leap, missed a dazed pedestrian by an inch, and shot on as mad a thing as the man who ran it. It was clearly only a matter of minutes that this could last. Bending low, the madman, w

's eyes. Nor has a man suffered until he realizes that he must disappoint that look. Donaldson had never been in an automobile in his life. He knew no more how to c

in his week to fulfill his oath, and a grinding resentment at the Fate which had thrust him into a position where he should show so impotent before those eyes. As far as personal fear went, it was nil. He was as oblivious to possible pain, possible death, as though he were now

e wind tore off his hat and tugged at his coat, nearly dragging him to the ground which flowed beneath him as smoothly as a

ox fastened to the dash-board. He did not know what it was, but on a blind chance he kicked it again and again until it splintered beneath his heels. The machine swerved across the road and he fought with the crazed man for the possession of the wheel. He w

t marks the foiled maniac. The girl started to separate the two men, but it was unnecessary; she saw the murder fade from her companion's face before the calm untroubled gaze of the other. She

ggle in the machine. A few steps beyond, the blue and red lights of a drugstor

st leave the machine and get him home at

n telephone for one and

it?" she asked anxiously. "We

esit

leave you here

e quite sa

rugstore it i

in hurriedly. "I-I w

ack again in five minutes, relieved to find her safe and the brother still quiet. While waiting for the cab it occurred to him that

would-it's asking a great deal of you-i

d to do that,"

ng Arsdale. The lighted houses flashed past the carriage windows in the soft spring dark, looking like specks of gold upon black velvet. A certain motherliness pervaded the night; there was a suggestion of birth everywhere. Donaldson responded to it wi

ing to the house. Either side of the gate a high hedge extended. The three stepped out and Donaldson paused a moment before dismissing the cabby. The girl saw his hesitancy and in her

come in for a minute," s

. Donaldson found himself in a large, cheerful looking hall finished in Flemish oak. A broad Colonial staircase led from the end and swung upstairs in a graceful turn which formed a landing. The floor was covered with rugs which he recognized as of almost priceless value. Several oil portraits in heavy frames ornamented the walls. It took but a glance to see that they were of the same family and to recognize in all their thin faces an expre

n!

and he could not reach the fellow with either fist. He was as helpless as though he had the Old Man of the Mountain upon his back. The world began to swim before his eyes; the cries of the girl to sound in the distance. Then he smelled the biting

" she cried, drawi

also prevented hi

ay that-

n is n't re

when he is like this h

m the press of the fellow's f

inent. He had noted with surprise that no servants had appeared. This gave a particularly u

rs and into bed," she s

eded them up two flights, switching on the lights at each landing, and entered a small, simply furnished room in the middle of the house,-a room, Donaldson was quick to note, having only a skylight for a window. Here

living than during the entire last decade? He had faced death twice, he had met a woman, and he now stood at the threshold of a mystery that seemed to demand him. There was no other interest in his life to occupy him-nothing to prevent him from throwing himself heart and soul into the case, lending

p as he repla

ed, "I must detai

reassured her. "I was merely cur

not un

even hou

igma. Shortly afterwards the patient closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Immediately the girl

e felt himself to be really needed here, he was as reluctant to depart as a man is to awake from

o her with

n do for you? Is there no o

very well no

ere alone with the bo

y n

a rebuke of his im

for you," he decl

ly safe," she

nts in the house upon whom

d a bit e

there is my old housekee

im would be almost to force him to stay. As welcome a relief as it would be to have him remain until she had ad

rom the temptation a

phrase for all you

s eno

she withdrew it, her cheeks a bit redder, her eye

enly, and now removing his

tay a litt

s eyes quite frankly. Then, with a little s