feet.

"It was something they put in her wine," she faltered. "I heard Mr.
Lassen say that it would keep her quiet for three or four hours. I
think - I think that she is waking now."

Louise opened her eyes and looked at them with amazement. Bellamy
sat by the side of the bed and supported her with his arm.

"It is only a skirmish, dear," he whispered, "and it is a drawn
battle, although you got the worst of it."

She put her hand to her head, struggling to remember.

"Mr. Laverick has been here?" she asked.

"He has. Your friend Lassen has been taking a hand in the game. I
came here to find you like this and Annette tied up. Henri is in
with him. What has become of your other servants I don't know."

"Henri asked for a holiday for them," she said, the color slowly
returning to her cheeks. "I begin to understand. But tell me, what
happened when Mr. Laverick came?"

"I can only guess," Bellamy answered, "but it seems that Lassen must
have received him as though with your authority."

"And what then?" she asked quickly.

"I am almost certain," Bellamy declared, "that Laverick refused to