one had thought to be dead, having been done to death after an awful,
disfiguring struggle--for Sylvia had determined to struggle to the end
with her murderers.

"My God!" muttered Paul de Virieu. "Do you not understand, Chester, what
happened to-night? They meant to kill her!"

"To kill her?" repeated Chester incredulously.

Then there came over him a rush and glow of angry excitement. Good God!
If that was the case they ought to have driven back at once to the
Lacville police-station!

"Sylvia!" he exclaimed. "Rouse yourself, and tell us what took place! If
what the Count says is true, something must be done, and at once!"

He turned to Paul de Virieu: "The police ought to take Mrs. Bailey's full
statement of all that occurred without any loss of time!" All the lawyer
in him spoke angrily, agitatedly.

Sylvia moved slightly. Paul de Virieu could feel her shuddering by his
side.

"Oh, Bill, let me try to forget!" she moaned. And then, lifting up her
voice, she wailed, "They killed Anna Wolsky--"

Her voice broke, and she began to sob convulsively. "I would not think of
her--I forced myself not to think of her--but now I shall never, never
think of anyone else any more!"